Silver-gilt mounted lapis lazuli miniature lute

This beautiful miniature lute is crafted from lapis lazuli and silver—the silver gilt on occasion. The front and rear faces of the lute are inset with veined and dappled lapis lazuli, while the sides of the body are finished with parcel gilt silver, the silver cast with a chain of floral motifs. Moreover, the front lapis surface is mounted with a silver-gilt bridge and pierced sound-hole cover. The neck of the lute is also formed from silver-gilt; the neck terminates in a wonderfully ornate scrolled headstock, the top front of which features an elaborate foliate motif.

The lute is supported by a lapis and silver-gilt stand: the base of the stand, with canted and chamfered corners, is of lapis lazuli. The base supports the crescent-shaped silver-gilt lute stand, beautifully formed in its own right.

The reverse side of the neck of the lute is stamped with ‘800’, signifying 80% silver, and an indistinct maker’s mark.