Hurdy gurdy

Colson

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Instrument

Hurdy gurdy

Instrument Family

Strings

Maker

Colson

Place Made

France ; Europe ; Western Europe

Date Made

Circa 1825

Description

This instrument has a lute-shaped body with alternate ribs of birds-eye maple and rosewood, the two top ribs (next to the soundboard) being of a different wood and possibly not original. The soundboard is of spruce, curved over the width of the instrument. The rotating wheel is of sycamore, 80mm radius. The keybox and peg-head are of sycamore. 6 pegs (one unoriginal), the original pegs of rosewood with ivory dots. The lid of the keybox and the tailpiece are of beech, veneered in ebony with sycamore stringing. 23 keys, the naturals are of rosewood, the accidentals of ivory or bone; although two strings pass through the keybox, the keys only act on one string. The accidentals are in groups of 2, 2, 3, 3, from lowest to highest pitch. The wheel handle is of iron, the knob of rosewood with an ivory centre. Trompette peg of ivory. The rib capping at the bottom end is birds-eye maple, at the top end sycamore. The pegs to take a strap are of rosewood. The soundboard has moon-shaped sound-holes at the bottom.The head is carved in the shape of a bearded man (Christ?); stamped star-shaped decoration on the sides of the pegbox. Inscriptions: Stamped on the left hand side of the keybox - "COLSON / MIRECOURT". Decorative features: The head carved in the shape of a bearded man (Christi?); stamped star-shaped decoration on the sides of the pegbox. Specific literature references: G.S. (1968) No 649. Specific usage history: Said by Andrew J Ross's sister to have been used by the mother of their father (Andrew M. Ross). Current ownership: Purchased in 1983 with assistance from the Government's Local Museums Purchase Fund and the University's General Council Trust. (Glen Collection).

Other Information

Specific usage history: Said by Andrew J Ross's sister to have been used by the mother of their father (Andrew M. Ross).

Notes

D. Martin, 1993-94.

Measurements

680.

Provenance

Purchased in 1983 with assistance from the Government's Local Museums Purchase Fund and the University's General Council Trust.

Collection

Glen Collection ; MIMEd

Accession Number

0287

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