France
European

Wood, pearl, ivory, ebony
Mid 19th century
Total Length: 37 inches
Strings – Lutes – Guitars

This small parlor guitar labeled “Husson & Duchène, Rue Grenetat 15, Paris,” is possibly incorrect, as the maker is believed to be “Francois Rene LaCote, Paris” based on the bridge/saddle design,  ornate design, dimensions, peghead and tuning machines.  It has a fine spruce top and the back and sides are maple laminated to very close-grained spruce, which is visible on the inside. The bridge is made of serpentine-ebony. Particularly spectacular and noteworthy is the beautiful inlay and fingerboard with 11 scenes of Paris landscape carved in mother-of-pearl, ivory and ebony.  This instrument is completely original except for bridge scrolls, which were added later.

A parlor guitar is a compact and narrow-waisted instrument.  The name comes from the rooms in which the guitar was typically played in the 19th century.