The Mandolin & Cittern Source

The Mandolin & Cittern Source



The Gittern



Fresco by Simone Martini, 1322, Italy.
The gittern was a relatively small gut strung round-backed instrument that first appears in literature and pictorial representation during the 13th century in Western Europe (Iberian Peninsula, Italy, France, England). It is usually depicted played with a quill plectrum, as we can see clearly beginning in manuscript illuminations from the thirteenth century. It was also called the guiterna in Spain, guiterne or guiterre in France, the chitarra in Italy and quintern in Germany.



Details: 5 course gittern.
Made by: Glenn Braun, USA.


Details: 4 course gittern.
Made by: Jo Dusepo, Britain.


Details: 5 course gittern.
Made by: Lauri Niskanen, Finland.