The difference between the artistic models (No. 7 and No. 8 and to some extent the No. 4, which is often regarded as the artistic variant within the orchestra models) and the other instruments is mainly a matter of a detailed and elaborated decoration. The No. 7 is still very close to the soloist models because the ornamentation consists largely of a sculpted design in a curly pattern of leaves and flowers, sometime figures and/or dragons, at the end clasp and along the sides of the border-ribs.
Mandolino Artistico Model N. 7 / The Artistic Mandolin Model No. 7
The head stock is made in two types: the flat guitar like model inlayed with ivory displaying flowers, leaves, faces and child like figures and Embergher’s famous ancient lute like design where the neck carries a headstock terminating to a square finial faced in mother of pearl.
Very similar to the Model No. 4 orchestra mandolin model is the marking of the positions by carved ivory flowers inlayed in the fingerboard. The plain maple neck and headstock of the No. 7 differ from the No. 4 which is completely covered with tortoise shell on gold veneer. Also, and this is just a small but important distinction, the human figures are left out in the head stock decoration of the No. 4 orchestra- and No. 5 soloist mandolin. The image of the dragon can however also be found on the No. 4 and No.6.
Apart from it’s overall design combined with the finest quality of spruce, ebony and maple woods the materials used that give the No. 7 artistic mandolin its gracious appearance, are: tortoise shell on gold veneer and ivory (for instance used for the scratch plate that can (like on the No. 8) either carry a dragon- or human figure(s). An ivory lining is used to border the edge of the sound board of this model.
Mandolino Artistico Model N. 7 / The Artistic Mandolin Model No. 7
Currently, the well-known Dutch mandolinist Sebastiaan de Grebber uses the Embergher Mandolin Soloist model No.7 by Domenico Cerrone (pictured above) to perform his concert programs in his concerts and recitals.
Noticeable is that the sound table is always in style with the rest of the instrument but left as plain as possible to keep the instrument’s sound as sonorous and beautiful as possible. Something that is underlined by Silvio Ranieri, one of the finest mandolin virtuosi ever, who in 1915 was given a gold medal winning mandolin made by Embergher himself. It is said that Ranieri found this mandolin superior to all others Embergher soloists models that he knew. Fortunately I had the opportunity to valuate this very instrument for its insurance at which occasion it proved to be a beautiful crafted and artistic carved mandolin model No. 7. This mandolin is particularly interesting because it has a fret board consisting of 31 frets(!) and a zero-fret.
Silvio Ranieri with his Artistic Mandolin Model No. 7 (1900)
The Mandolino Artistico Model No. 8 is an instrument of extremely high quality craftsmanship displaying a variety of precious materials. The back of the sound box, neck and headstock are completely covered with tortoise shell on gold and inlayed with ivory. The ivory is mostly engraved and portrays plant motifs, Cupid personages and dragon images while the fingerboard is totally decorated with a flower design. The scratch plate possibilities are the same as with the No. 7 model. The end clasp and the side-ribs are separated from the rest of the belly by a mother of pearl lining. A similar lining is placed on the edge of the soundboard. Another characteristic of this model are the eye-catching engraved ivory turners of the tuning mechanism placed in the headstock which could be manufactured in either the guitar like model or with the ancient lute like design.
One of the existing Model No. 8 mandolins is most likely one of the mandolins made for exhibitions in order to show the extraordinary artistic skills of the Maestro. The instruments bowl, neck and head are overlaid with tortoise shell and inlayed with extensive fine ivory and mother of pearl. The end clasp is decorated with ivory inlayed dragons while the scratch plate is inlayed with putty of black mastic, representing two figures surrounded by leaves executed in ivory and mother of pearl. The head is mounted with rear-facing ivory turners and of interest because of the, in time, early application of a fingerboard that extends over the sound hole carrying 29 silver-nickel frets.
Mandolino Artistico Model N. 8 / The Artistic Mandolin Model No. 8
Another known to exist example was ordered by the Russian Tsarina Maria Feodorovna (1847 – 1928). Luigi Embergher made a richly decorated Model No. 8 mandolin for her in 1902. Unfortunately the current whereabouts of this this instrument is unknown.
The only known photograph (note the 25 frets fingerboard) of the mandolin Embergher build for Tsarina Maria Feodorovna is preserved in the Embergher-Cerrone Museum della Liuteria in Arpini, Italy.
Mandolino Artistico Model N. 8 / The Artistic Mandolin Model No. 8
Photos from the museum catalog – Courtesy of the Saint Petersburg Museum of Theatre and Music, Russia.
Photo from the museum catalog – Courtesy of the Saint Petersburg Museum of Theatre and Music, Russia.
Photo from the museum catalog – Courtesy of the Saint Petersburg Museum of Theatre and Music, Russia.
The catalogue states the following about this model:
Mandolino artistico
Mandolino N. 7
Mandolino N. 8
Mandolin deluxe, the sound box completely covered with tortoise shell, the ribs are completely inlayed with ivory and mother of pearl and hollowed out at the lower half of the back-side. Extremely artistic and rich ornamentation (see photo). This instrument has been given the highest decoration and has been supplied to royal houses. Price negotiable.