Neapolitan mandolin c. 1770 - 1780

This is a Neapolitan mandolin by the familie Vinaccia measuring 58.5 cm in height. The instrument is a symphony of textures and materials. The eye is drawn to the harmonious arrangement of shapes, from the teardrop body to the fan-like headstock. The light wood, delicately lined, meets in a play of dark inlays and a circle of pearl around the sound hole. This creates not just an aesthetic experience but also a structural one. The mandolin embodies the essence of musical form. The design elements – the linearity of the strings, the curvature of the body – create a cohesive whole. The instrument’s visual and auditory functions work together to challenge our understanding of what music is. This is more than just an instrument; it's a cultural artifact, a testament to the intertwining of form and function. It invites us to reflect on the structure of sound itself.