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RCM 106 Small Vielle à Roue Errard, Mâcon, ?second quarter of 19th century Inscriptions Stamped on LH side of keybox and inside cover: ERRARD / A MACON Brief description Small hurdy-gurdy (vielle à roue) with guitar outline Dimensions : 392, without crank and handle 361 : 252 : upper bouts 118.5, middle bouts 98, lower bouts 149 : at neck joint 46, at tail 53 : 87.5 : chanterelle 182, bourdons 203, trompette and mouche 198 (see below)
Description Front one-piece, of plain maple, with two C-shaped soundholes at tail. Back and ribs of plain maple; single lines of painted purfling on edges of front, back and ribs. Eleven keys. Original disposition unclear: perhaps one chanterelle, two bourdons and trompette. Commentary There are only four pegs but there are bridges and other fittings for six strings. This suggests that the instrument was made as a toy for a child rather than as a fully functioning vielle à roue. A similar small hurdy-gurdy by Errard survives in the Musée de la Musique, Paris (E.2511) and another in the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC. Provenance Gift of Sir George Donaldson, 1894 References Donaldson 1896, pl.XXX Palmer 1980, pp.149 & 232
Small vielle à roue, Errard, RCM 106
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