While the early Italian theorbos remained popular large bodied
instruments by German makers were built in the 18th century and survive
intact or as fragments. These theorbos are characterized by
deeper bowls built in maple usually with fewer ribs. This style
of theorbo offered the player an instrument better suited to
the needs of the 18th century orchestra and ensemble. Although
several well known baroque lutes by Schelle survive this is
the only theorbo. Many features of this instrument are evidence
that it has been altered on several occasions; glue marks on
the belly indicate a second bridge position, an inset rose and
numerous glue marks of previous bar positions suggest that the
belly might have been recycled by Schelle. I examined the instrument
very much with its provenance in mind comparing it to other
lutes from Schelle's workshop. I decided that the bowls of these
lutes were similar in both design features and inconsistencies
in construction.
Specifications: the bowl is approximately 41 cm wide, 19 cm deep and 65 cm to the neck joint. The fretted string length is 86 cm with diapasons beginning at 140 cm.