Cittern
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The cittern or cithren is a stringed instrument dating from the Renaissance. Modern scholars debate its exact history, but it is generally accepted that it is descended from the medieval citole. Its f
Cittern exhibited at the Music Museum of Barcelona
Cittern MET DP163302
Sir Joshua Reynolds Portrait of Mrs. Froude
Stringed instruments Musical Instrument Museum, Brussels IMG 3919
Citole
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The citole was a string musical instrument, closely associated with the medieval fiddles and commonly used from 1200–1350. It was known by other names in various languages: cedra, cetera, cetola, cetu
Cittern
…instrument dating from the Renaissance. Modern scholars debate its exact history, but it is generally accepted that it is descended from the medieval citole (or cytole). Its flat-back design was simpler and cheaper to construct than the lute. It was also easier to play, smaller, less delicate and more…
Citole made c. 1300, exhibited at the British Museum
Italy. Ducal Palace Studiolo Cittern or late citole showing the remains of the citole thumb hole, as a hook on the back of the neck, 1478–1482. Sound holes drilled in soundboard in a circle, with soundboard rose. Two sound holes in side of instrument.
England. British Museum Citole (formerly Warwick Castle Gittern), with three of the holly-leaf points (the shoulders and the trefoil).
A reconstruction of a medieval citole