Milan, Italy
A. Monzino & E. Figli

Woods, mother-of-pearl, metal
ca. Early 20th century
(Mandolin) H: 5″ W: 8.5″ L: 24.5″ (Case) H: 7″ W: 10″ L: 26.25″
Strings – Lutes – Mandolins

LABEL INSIDE READS:  ANTICHISSIMA CASA FONDATA NEL 1750 / (on a banner: A. MONZINO & FIGLI / MILANO – Via Rastrelli  10 / PREMIATA FABBRICA DI / STRUMENTI MUSICALI CORDE / AD  ARCO A PLRTTRO, A PIZZICO / CIRDE ARMONICHE / MASSIME ONORIFICENZE A DIVERSE / ESPOSIZIONI INTERNATIONALI / (on a banner:  ESPORTAZIONE MONDIALE)  /  Also shows LOGO with drawings of a violin, mandolin, and guitar. 

Translated to English: VERY ANCIENT HOUSE FOUNDED IN 1750 / (on a banner: A. MONZINO & FIGLI / MILAN – Via Rastrelli 10 / AWARD-WINNING FACTORY OF / STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS / BOWED, PLRTTRO, PIZZICO / HARMONIC TRACKS / HIGHEST HONORS AT SEVERAL / INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS / (on a banner: WORLDWIDE EXPORT)

Possibly an early 20^th century Neapolitan harp mandolin made at A. Monzino & E. Figli featuring a “pseudo” harp form (i.e. without extra strings/fretboard), mother-of-pearl inset patterns around the sound hole, mother-of-pearl fret markers, and a pick guard composed of shell. The Neapolitan mandolin was originally a plucked bowl-lute chordophone developed initially in Italy in the 18^th century but many have subsequently changed particularly in the 20th century to a small  flat back-lute that has come to be distributed and manufactured broadly throughout the world.

Included with this Neapolitan “pseudo” harp mandolin is a fabric-lined wooden case and a large pick made of shell.   There are four courses of double metal strings, for a total of eight strings, that are tuned in unison.