Very attractive - and interesting observations spyblaster.
The guilding (gold 'plating') of carved rosettes can also be found in some of the early surviving European instruments such as citterns and
harpsichords (not sure if there are examples among the lutes)
Some of the famous Flemish harpsichord makers went further with cast lead soundboard rosettes that were guilded - no doubt in an effort to save time
and cut costs yet without sacrificing appearance. I, therefore, wonder if cast rosettes might have an application for the oud as well - not using lead
but a lighter weight (and less toxic) metal such as aluminium or even cast epoxy resin? Casting of aluminium and epoxy resins can easily be done in
the home workshop. The finished product could then be guilded (metal or resin), painted or coloured by anodising (aluminium) or by adding coloured
pigments to the resin.
This would mean that a luthier would just have to carve a rosette once (to use as the pattern) and could then run off many castings from the mold -
for his own use or perhaps for sale to others.
I have experience in casting small components in metal and resin - but not rosettes - so will post a separate topic on the forum - when I can find
time - on how to make low cost cast rosettes using readily available materials. Should be of general interest (hopefully!) |