Catana, Italy
Giuseppe (Joseph) Modaudo

Wood, mother-of-pearl, metal strings
Early – Mid 20th century
Length: 36.5 in; Width: 11.25 in; Depth: 7.5 in
Strings – Lutes – Miscellaneous Lutes

Label inside: J. S. MODAUDO / MANICO MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS/ Vico Giglio No. 9 / CATANA, ITALY

A six string double bowl lute by Giuseppe (Joseph) Modaudo (1880-1972), of Cantana, Italy.  Joseph Modaudo emigrated to the US in the spring of 1900 and naturalized in Boston in 1915. He lived in both Boston and Chicago.  As stated in ‘The Violinist, Feb. 1921, p.171,” he advertised as:  Italian Music Co., #811 Blue Island St., Chicago, “everything Italian … we import new and old Italian violins, strings and music for band, orchestra and piano…  under the direction of J. S. Modaudo.” According to the Henley’s Dictionary of Violin Makers, in 1949 Guiseppe (Joseph) Modaudo returned to Catania, Italy. He had produced over 500 instruments in his lifetime.

Resource: https://www.brasshistory.net/Modaudo%20History.pdf