Mandora 1726

This is a mandora, a stringed instrument made by Gregori Ferdinand Wenger. Think of the mandora as an ancestor of the modern mandolin. It's a plucked lute, that probably dates back to the 18th century. Although we don't know exactly when it was made, the mandora provides a glimpse into the social role of music during that time. Looking at the materials and craftsmanship, we can imagine this instrument being played in aristocratic circles. It would have been a part of elite domestic entertainment, and small-scale performances. The mandora reminds us how musical instruments have always been tied to social status and cultural identity. It speaks to the institutional history of music, and how musical traditions have been shaped by wealth, power, and artistic patronage. To fully understand the instrument’s history, we might consult period musical scores, instrument inventories, and even portraits of musicians. The interpretation of art objects is always improved through such historical context.