Place MadeUnited States
Date20th Century
Mediumwood, ivory, metal
Dimensions35 1/2 x 9 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. (24.1 x 8.9 cm)
Donor credit lineGift of Corinne Monteiro
Object number2011.15
Institutional Credit LineCourtesy of the New Bedford Whaling Museum
Description"Viola da Terra" or guitar (a) with case (b). Various wood (unidentified); 6 ivory attachments in the bridge; 7 steel strings; metal (copper?) frets in the finger board. White cord attached for shoulder strap. Inlaid wood scroll decoration at base of soundboard, and around sound holes. Six ivory buttons attach strings to the bridge. Originally had 12 tuning keys for string adjustment; now there are 10, with 7 strings still attached.
Areas of significant wear, particularly along the neck. Splitting and warping of the wood is evident overall, but particularly evident along the edge of the body. Evidence of corrosion (copper disease?) on the metal frets (plates) in the neck. Significant split down the center of the back (approx. 10 1/2" in length). Evidence of an old repair, possibly an applied tape.
Case is black leather with blue fabric lining. Split and worn. Has a handle with steel buckles.
Viola da terra: On the Portuguese island Saint Miguel of the Azores (north of Madeira, near Portugal) exists a special viola : the viola da terra. With the two heart shape soundholes the viola da terra looks quite similar to the viola amarantina, but the fingerboard is inlayed in the soundboard and the bridge ends in straight figures. It has 12 metal strings, in 5 courses : a'a'a d'd'd gg bb d'd'.
Source: http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/europe.htm#azoresProvenanceOwned by donor's father.
On View
Not on view
1850-1870
Circa 1900
