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.