Buenos Aires, Argentina
Marcial Edreira

Wood, metal, mother-of-pearl inlay
ca. 1900s-early 1920s
Length: 23.75 in, Width: 11.75 in; Depth: 3.63 in 
Chordophones – Lutes

Sticker inside reads:  FABRICA DE GUITARRAS / MANDOLINES Y BANDURRIAS / CUERDAS ROMANAS / ESPECIALES /  MARCIAL  EDREIRA / BUENOS AIRES

This bandurria by Marcial Edreira is a plucked chordophone from Argentina dating from approximately 1900 to the mid-1920s.   It is similar to the mandolin, bandola, and bandurria used in Spain and in former Spanish colonies.  It is a traditional Spanish plucked string instrument that holds an important place in the country’s folk music heritage.

This early Argentina bandurria has 12 metal strings arranged in 6 courses that are strung to guitar-type machine tuners at the top and pass over a circular sound hole adorned with polychrome wood and shell/mother-of-pearl inlay and over a flat bridge with strings affixed to a metal tailpiece at the bottom.  There are 12 metal frets and the top and bottom bridges are made of ivory/bone.  Unique to this Argentina Bandurria is the pear-shaped acoustic box.  The tuning pegs are made with bone and there is decorative marquetry throughout.  Inside is the original detail sticker identifying the maker and origin.