Attributed to Matteo Sellas / Guitar / ca. 1630-1650

Attributed to Matteo Sellas
Guitar
ca. 1630-1650
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Creator Name: Sellas, Matteo
Creator Role: Maker
Creator Name-CRT: Attributed to Matteo Sellas
Title: Guitar
Title Type: Object name
View: Full View
Creation Start Date: 1630
Creation End Date: 1650
Creation Date: ca. 1630-1650
Object Type: Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Classification Term: Chordophone with neck/plucked
Materials and Techniques: Wood, bone, various materials
Dimensions: Total L. 37 5/8 in. (96.5 cm); L. of body 18 7/8 in. (47.9 cm); L. of string 26 3/4 in. (68 cm); L. of lower bouts 10 9/16 in. (26.9 cm); L. of middle bouts 7 7/16 in. (18.9 cm); L. of upper bouts 8 3/4 in. (22.1 cm)
AMICA Contributor: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location: New York, New York, USA
ID Number: 1990.103
Credit Line: Purchase, Clara Mertens Bequest, in memory of André Mertens, 1990
Rights: http://www.metmuseum.org/
Context:

During the 17th century, amateurs in Italy, Spain, and southern France used the guitar to accompany songs and arias or to play solo pieces. In Italy, Venice was the guitar-manufacturing center and Matteo Sellas its most eminent luthier. The style of the instrument with scalloped snakewood ribs, bone striping and fanciful arabesques are hallmarks of the Venetian tradition of lute and guitar making. Engraved bone plaques, geometric bone and snakewood inlays further enrich the beauty of this restored guitar. Between the end of the 16th and the end of the 18th century, guitars had five double courses of gut strings, a decorative parchment rose placed in the sound hole, and a back that was often vaulted instead of flat. As musical taste changed during the second half of the 18th century many old guitars were refitted to adjust to contemporary taste. The rose, bridge and pegblock of this instrument were removed and five single strings were added. Prior to its arrival at the Metropolitan Museum the old fittings were reintroduced.

AMICA ID: MMA_.1990.103
AMICA Library Year: 2000
Media Metadata Rights: Copyright The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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