Instruments – Mandolino per orchestra

These models were first of all intended to be used in mandolin orchestras. Since the mandolin had regained popularity in last quarter of the 19th century the instrument of the mandolin family had grown into their own orchestra family. For this purpose other types like mandoliolas(also named: altomandolin or mandola contralto, tuned c-g-d’-a’), mandolas, mandoloncelli, liuto cantabiles (also: liuto moderno) and mandolbassos, were developed. Embergher even added a terzino mandolino (tuned: b flat-f’-c”-g”) to the family.

At first sight the orchestra models differ from the student models through the design of the head and the rosette which is made of mother of pearl in black mastique putty surrounded by wooden linings.

The typical design for the head of the Orchestra Models and the stamp with the name of the Embergher firm misspelled as “Lgi EMBERGER ROMA”.

Mandolino per orchestra Model No. 1

mandolin (1924) Orchestra model No. 1 (palissander)

Mandoliola per orchestra Model No. 1 and Mandola per orchestra Model No. 1

L-R: Orchestra Model No. 1; Mandoliola (palissander) and Mandola (palissander).

Mandola per orchestra Model No. 1

Embergher maple Mandola Orchestra Model No. 1 (1931)

Mandoloncello per orchestra Model No. 1 and a Mandola per orchestra Model No. 1

left: mandoloncello (1924) Orchestra model No. 1 (palissander)- right: mandola (1931) Orchestra model No. 1 (maple)

Mandoloncello per orchestra Model No. 1

Two photos of an Orchestra model No. 1 mandoloncello (1924) (palissander)

The catalogue states the following about this model:

Mandolino Mod. N. 1

Mandolino per orchestra, 18 ribs in maple- or palissander wood, rosette head inlaid with mother of pearl, position markings at the fingerboard, scratch plate in imitation tortoise shell.

N.B. In this Model no. 1 design there are also Mandoliole (Alto-mandolins) – Mandole (Mandolas) available.

Mandolino per orchestra Model No. 2

mandolin (1909) Orchestra model No. 2 (maple)

Mandolino per orchestra Model No. 2

mandolin (1920) Orchestra model No. 2 (maple)

Detail of the head of the mandolin (1920) Orchestra model No. 2 (maple) above

The pearl of mother inlay of th (1920) Orchestra model No. 2 above

A close-up of the typical scrachplate design for the model No. 2

And the back with the sleeve-guard and ribs of the 1920 Model No. 2 above

Mandola per orchestra Model No. 2

Embergher mandola (1953) Orchestra model No. 2 (maple) made by Domenico Cerrone

Head, stamp, tail piece and rosette of the Embergher mandola (1953) Orchestra model No. 2 made by Domenici Cerrone

Mandolbasso per orchestra Model No. 2

mandolbasso (1924) Orchestra model No. 2 (maple)

The catalogue states the following about this model:

Mandolino Mod. N. 2

Mandolino per orchestra, 28 ribs in maple- or palisander wood, rosette and head inlaid with mother of pearl, position markings on the fingerboard, scratch plate in tortoise shell.

N.B. In these models we also fabricate Mandoliole (Alto-mandolins) – Mandole (Mandolas) – Mandoloncelli and Mandolbassi.

The position markings at the fingerboard are dots of mother of pearl.

Mandolino per orchestra Model No. 3

Embergher Mandolin (1923) Orchestra Model No. 3 (palissander)

Mandolino per orchestra Model No. 3

Embergher Mandolin (1924) Orchestra model No. 3 (maple)

Close up of the tipical scratchplate design and the mother of pearl figure of the rosette on the Orchestra model No. 3 Embergher Mandolin (1924)

Label of the Embergher Mandolin (1924) Orchestra model No. 3

Detail of the ribs of the maple bowl with wood grain layed in such a way that it refers to the manner violinmakers build their violins

Front and back (with Embergher Roma stamp) of the head on the Embergher Orchestra model No. 3 Mandolin (1924)

left: mandolin (1923) and (1924) detail end-clasp – right: mandolin (1924) detail of the scratch-plate on the No. 3 Mandolin

Mandola per orchestra Model No. 3

The catalogue states the following about this model:

Mandolino Mod. N. 3

Mandolino per orchestra, in maple- or palissander wood with 32 sculpted ribs, rosette and head inlayed with mother of pearl – position markings on the concert fingerboard in ebony wood, scratch plate in tortoise shell.

N.B. The Mandoliole (Alto-mandolins) – Mandole (Mandolas) – Mandoloncelli and Mandolbassi are also constructed in the number 3 design.

Mandolino per orchestra Model No. 4

Front and back of an early (c. 1900) Embergher Orchestra model No. 4 mandolin

The head of the early (c. 1900) Embergher Orchestra model No. 4 mandolin

The back- an side view of the neck of the early (c. 1900) Embergher Orchestra model No. 4 mandolin.

The side view of the soundbox of the early (c. 1900) Embergher Orchestra model No. 4 mandolin.

The end-clashp and ribs of the early (c. 1900) Embergher Orchestra model No. 4 mandolin. Photos published with kind permission of the Music firm Bernunzio Uptown Music

Mandolino per orchestra Model No. 4

mandolin (1912) Orchestra model No. 4 – front and back. Note the tortoise shell neck and head aswell as the soundboard edge of mother of pearl.

Mandolino per orchestra Model No. 4

left: mandolin (1915) Orchestra model No. 4 – right: details of the scratch-plate and tortoise shell neck. Note the difference in head design: both the ‘Ancient lute’ and the ‘Flat guitar-like’ heads were available

Rosette, dragon scratchplate and bridge of the 1915 Orchestra mandolin model No. 4

The catalogue states the following about this model:

Mandolino Mod. N. 4
Mandolino per orchestra, in palissander wood with 40 sculpted ribs with ivory lining in between, refined ivory and mother of pearl decoration inlay on the scratch-plate, head and fingerboard. Patented mechanic, border lining in mother of pearl, neck veneered with tortoise shell, concert fingerboard in ebony wood.

N.B. Of this model we also make Mandoliole (Alto-mandolins), Mandoloncelli and Mandolbassi.

The decoration on the scratch plate is, like also seen on the model no. 6, 7 and 8, usually a dragon figure made of ivory and mother of pearl.