Milanese mandolin

Francesco Presbler and his son, Giuseppe, are considered among the most important Milanese lute makers of their day. This lute is in good condition, and has undergone few substitutions (for example, the pegs are not all original, and one seems to come from a Brescian mandolin of the same collection). The original label reads "Francesco Presbler / in Milano / nella contrada della dogana / al segno del sole 1759." The back is in thirteen strips of two colors of wood: a typical feature of this craftsman's work of this period. The lutes are still displayed--as are all other objects in the museum--in their original places, thus contributing to the authentic "time capsule" ambiance.