ORGANISTRUM
The organistrum is not portrayed in art before the 12th century and the first treatise on how it was constructed comes from the 13th century. During the Gothic period it was used in monastic schools. This reconstruction from the Portico de la Gloria, completed in 1188 of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain has 12 tangents, which are positioned according to Pythagorean principles, prividing a diatonic scale. The tangents are pulled up to meet the strings by one player, whilst the other player cranks the handle. The spruce soundboard is pierced with a large rose, four smaller triangular soundholes and also has a decorative border stamped into it. The ribs and back are made from one piece of plane tree or sycamore, as in the tangent housing box. The lid of the tangent housing is covered in elaborate fretwork.
SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 1035mm
Maximum width: 330mm
Depth: 143mm