Romantic Guitar (maker unknown), c. 1790, probably Italian, natural varnish finish, spruce top and maple back and sides.
A lovely six-string Romantic period guitar.
Figure eight peghead with heavy ebony friction tuning pegs with inlayed pearl dots. Dyed maple fingerboard with ivory or bone frets and two diamond mother of pearl position markers at the fifth and seventh frets. Spruce top extends to ninth fret, frets 13-17 are wood inlayed into top. The rosette has checkerboard ivory/ebony inlay and ten contrasting wood rings, with decorative interlaced line pattern outside soundhole. Rectangular bridge has stylized floral mustache ends, pearl dot ebony pins. Fiddle edge binding on top and back. Neck has a cone heel, graft headstock and blacked finish.
A small printed label inside indicates repairs made October 1913 by Hans Vogl., Munich, which is also handwritten inside.
Overall length is 36 in. (91.4 cm.), 11 1/16 in. (28.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.).
Substantially original condition, only minor repair for an instrument of this age. Newer ebony nut, some noticeable fingerboard wear in first few positions. Two repaired top cracks, two cracks to back, finish wear overall but excellent patina.
Currently in fine display condition, can easily be made playable as desired. Very Good + Condition.
