Archlute (liuto attiorbato)

Matteo Sellas (c. 1580-1661), Venice, 1637, spruce, ebony, ivory

The most appreciated lutes among wealthier Dutch music amateurs came from Italy. Matteo Sellas’ lutes were renowned in Europe for their quality and lavish decorations. In contrast to ‘ordinary’ lutes, archlutes like the one displayed here, have an extra set of long bass strings. This makes it possible to produce a greater range of lower pitched tones.

Artwork typemusical instrument, stringed instrument, lute, archlute
Object numberBK-2016-98-3
Dimensionsheight 113 cm x width 34 cm x depth 16 cm
Physical characteristicsebbenhout, ivoor, sparrenhout

Identification

Title(s)
Archlute (liuto attiorbato)
Object type
Object number
BK-2016-98-3
Catalogue reference
- Andreas Schlegel, Joachim Lüdtke, 'Die Laute in Europa 2. Lauten, Gitarren, Mandolinen und Cistern', Menziken: The Lute Corner, 2011, p. 124-125
- Lute News: The Lute Society Magazine 75 (Oct., 2005), p. 4
- Giovanni Paolo Di Stefano, 'Een zwart-witte liuto attiorbato. Muziekschatten van het Rijksmuseum', Tijdschrift Oude Muziek, 2022/3, p. 20-21
- 'Rembrandts Schatkamer', Tableau: Fine Arts Magazine 21, nr. 7 (1999), p. 72-73
- David van Edwards, 'Gut strings and angled bridges', The Lute: The Journal of the Lute Society 25 (1985), p. 17-28: 26, plate 2

Creation

Creation
musical instrument maker: Matteo Sellas, Venice
Dating
1637
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Material and technique

Physical description
ebbenhout, ivoor, sparrenhout
Material
Dimensions
height 113 cm x width 34 cm x depth 16 cm

Acquisition and rights

Credit line
On loan from the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag
Copyright
Public domain

Documentation

- Andreas Schlegel, Joachim Lüdtke, 'Die Laute in Europa 2. Lauten, Gitarren, Mandolinen und Cistern', Menziken: The Lute Corner, 2011, p. 124-125
- Lute News: The Lute Society Magazine 75 (Oct., 2005), p. 4
- Giovanni Paolo Di Stefano, 'Een zwart-witte liuto attiorbato. Muziekschatten van het Rijksmuseum', Tijdschrift Oude Muziek, 2022/3, p. 20-21
- 'Rembrandts Schatkamer', Tableau: Fine Arts Magazine 21, nr. 7 (1999), p. 72-73
- David van Edwards, 'Gut strings and angled bridges', The Lute: The Journal of the Lute Society 25 (1985), p. 17-28: 26, plate 2

Persistent URL

To refer to this object, please use the following persistent URL:
https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/20020867