Milanese Mandolin (6 courses)

The instrument is a Milanese mandolin that features six double string courses and a sickle-shaped pegbox. The pear-shaped deeply vaulted body is made up of fifteen ribs of unidentified wood; the sound board is a single piece of deal with a layered wood and parchment rosette. Fingerboard decorative motifs are in bone and ivory. This specimen presents original conditions in its entirety, with the exception of the bridge that was replaced at a later date. The Presblers were a dynasty of German lute-makers, whose forefather Valentino (1658 - post 1726) settled down in Milan early in the 18th century. Here he continued to produce musical instruments most likely with the assistance of his sons, Michele and Mattia, and later assuredly with the work of Francesco (1730-1780) and his son Giuseppe, who made this mandolin.