Soloist Mandolin by Fratelli Vinaccia ca. 1885-1890

Description

Fratelli Vinaccia , soloist mandolin, ca. 1885-1890
A masterpiece from 1885-1890 built by Fratelli Vinaccia, still in its original case. This highly decorated mandolin is made with the finest materials and is the highest model made available by the Vinaccia family. Everything still in original condition, the back is made in beautiful rosewood with 33 scalloped ribs with silver linings in between. The fingerboard has 22 frets and is entirely covered with tortoiseshell and motherpearl. Several motherpearl ornaments adorn the main frets.
The top is highly decorated with multiple patterns of motherpearl, has a real tortoiseshell scratchplate that is richly embellished with motherpearl, and more MOP decorations around the soundhole. The neck is veneered with tortoiseshell, with motherpearl decoration along the fingerboard and into the head, that is also entirely covered in tortoiseshell and MOP.  The machinehead is made of silver with engraved flowers. The tuners appear to be made of bone.
The mandolin is in very good condition given its age, and could use minimum cosmetic restoration (MOP missing on the head, missing MOP drop on the neck, and two minor scratches on the side). This mandolin is a showstopper and filled with rich details. It has a beautiful sound as is expected for such a high end model.
keywords: mandoline, mandolino, embergher, vinaccia, calace, neapolitan