Italian, Venice, 1640-50, Cristoforo Choc. [Return to FF15 M46/2]

A small theorbo, with a back of fifteen ribs, alternately rosewood and ivory. Pine belly with carved rose and ivory purfling, also an ivory heart-shaped ornament to the lower end. The bridge is probably not original. The back of the neck has marquetry decoration in snake wood and ivory consisting of floral scrolls, a bird and a double-headed eagle. The fingerboard has ivory panels engraved with figures and a landscape, framed with ebony and ivory strips. The main pegbox has fourteen pegholes but a nut with eleven grooves. The upper pegbox has fourteen pegholes of which two are plugged, and an offset nut which appears to be of later date.

Extract from a lecture by V&A conservator Reg Dee “Restoration of musical instruments 1964 – 68” at the UKIC/ V&A Christmas Symposium on Early Musical Instruments, 15th December 1983:
"The removal of varnish from an instrument is not undertaken lightly but, from time to time, it may be necessary in order to correct a previously botched restoration with over-varnishing. One such example was a 17th century Theorbo by Christopher Choco (Chocs) (7756 -1862). During the course of piecing this shattered instrument together, it was noticeable the belly had been disfigured by ugly staining which had been placed there to disguise woodworm tunnels which had come to the surface due to the thinness of the wood. To remove this staining, a fine wire wool pad soaked in methylated spirits was applied to the pine surface. This loosened the stain which was then removed with a swab of cotton wool. After drying out, a coat of beeswax polish was applied to seal the grain."

Bought for £8 (no further information on accession register).
Repaired in the Conservation Dept. by Mr Dee in 1964.
X-ray(s), 1974, of this object are held in the Furniture Collection Library, Box of X-Rays of V&A instruments, shelfmark FW2.G.3 (2024)
Measured drawings by Stephen Barber, 1978, published by Victoria and Albert Museum.

The archlute was a version of the lute with six or seven strings added to the bass. Cristoforo Choc may have made this undated archlute during the 1650s. Two similar instruments of his survive, both dated 1654. Choc traded under the sign of 'Il Aquila Doro' (the golden eagle) in Venice, and is thought to have been German, like most other luthiers working in Italy at the time. The neck of this instrument is lavishly decorated with engraved ivory plaques, and it was probably intended for a rich amateur rather than a professional musician.

7756-1862