ORPHARION
Part of the Bandora family, the Orpharion is a smaller wire-strung instrument with a similar scalloped body shape. The ribs are an even depth all round, and other features include a neck which is cut away on the bass side, lateral tuning pegs, and a slanted bridge and frets, giving a progressive increase in string length from treble to bass. This bridge and fret arrangement was to give the maximum string possible to obtain the deep bass notes sought after at this time. The tunings for the lute and orpharion were identical, so music written for either instrument was interchangeable. Appearing soon after the bandora in the mid 16th century, the orpharion had fallen into disuse by the end of the 17th century.
This Orpharion is based on the original in the Claudius Collection, Copenhagen by Francis Palmer. It has nine-courses of steel and twisted brass strings. The slanted arrangement of bridge and frets gives a treble string length of 560mm and 640mm on the bass strings. It has a flat back of seven staves alternating in colour, but the rosewood staves are purfled. The rosewood ribs are the same 75mm depth all round with boxwood strips inset. The front has a pierced rose.
SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 1054mm
Maximum width: 270mm
Tuning: D E F G c f a d' g'