Mike's Oud Forums

French oud, 1756

Jonathan - 7-2-2006 at 04:55 PM

It's listed as a lute, but it sure looks like an oud to me.
I had no idea these were built in France at this time.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Unique-French-Museum-Antique-guitar-Lute-from-1...

jazzchiss - 7-3-2006 at 12:32 AM

The pegbox is straight as in the european lutes.
The pegs are quite modern, probably the whole pegbox has been changed.

al-Halabi - 7-3-2006 at 02:08 PM

There is something odd about this instrument. It has anachronistic features that make me wonder how much of it is original besides the label.

Jonathan - 7-4-2006 at 12:37 PM

Any idea what the label says?

SamirCanada - 7-4-2006 at 07:15 PM

From what I make of it... it says. first 2 words Iam not shure about or what they mean.

Mevolle ?.. Rashier?.. sur le pont ( on the brige )
Res le change a Lyon,1756 (Rests the change in Lyon) makes no sence
1979( I just noticed there is a smaller writen number at the bottom right.

Jonathan - 7-4-2006 at 07:39 PM

Thanks.
I'm with al-Halabi on this one--something doesn't seem right.

LeeVaris - 7-4-2006 at 09:05 PM

If this is an instrument from 1756 I've got a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you!

Please...

:rolleyes:

Microber - 7-5-2006 at 12:55 AM

The text is :

Morothée (???), luthier, sur le pont,
Près le Change, a Lyon, 1756
1414

The first word is probably a name, very difficult to read.
Than, luthier, on the bridge, near the "change".
The "change" is probably a reference to a place in Lyon.
1756, a date ? (!!!)
And why not note 1414 as a date ?:D

I find that the little paper is in very good condition to be so old.

Robert

Dr. Oud - 7-5-2006 at 08:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by LeeVaris
If this is an instrument from 1756 I've got a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you!

Please...

:rolleyes:
I agree - notice the color of the "label" compared to the paper lining, and the absence of any dirt. - I'd pass...

TruePharaoh21 - 7-5-2006 at 08:30 AM

Hey guys,

The word on the second line doesn't appear to be change but "chapge" as indicated in the description above. Don't know if that means anything, or if it really is chapge, but eh... another piece to the puzzle.

TP21

Microber - 7-5-2006 at 11:36 AM

"Chapge" doesn't seem to be a possible word in french.

Robert

al-Halabi - 7-5-2006 at 01:19 PM

Robert's reading of the label is correct. I believe that the label itself is genuine - the hand is consistent with the style of eighteenth-century French writing, with which I am familiar from reading contemporary documents. It's quite possible that the label came from another lute and is being used to misrepresent this hybrid instrument as an original antique. Pretty crude effort.