Hurdy gurdy made by CAILHE DECANTE in Charroux, Allier (France) in 1893 .
The lute body of nine alternately brown and red varnished maple ribs decorated with geometrical design.
The fir table decorated with geometrical red design and inlaid around the edge with bone and ebony 'pistagnes' and stained wood segments marquetry.
The keybox and tailpiece venneered of ebony and decorated with mother of pearl design..
Wheel-cover decorated with a marquetry of flowers and foliage in stained woods.
Maple pegbox with six ebony pegs terminating in a man carved head with a hat.
S-shaped iron handle, ivory knob.
Labelled internally:
fait par Cailhe
à Charroux
Allier
N° 1100 1893
Stamped on the side of keybox: CAILHE - DECANTE
A CHARROUX
ALLIER
Labelled inside the cover keyboard :
FABRIQUE SPECIALE DE VIELLES GARANTIES / 20 (vielle) Mars / MEDAILLES DE BRONZE / EXPOSITIN UNIVERSELLE /PARIS / CHATEAUROUX 1882/ 1912/ CAILHE DECANTE ET FILS / A CHARROUX (ALLIER) / BLOIS 1883 / PARIS 1867
Length without handle: 724 mm
Bibliography : 'La vielle à roue et les luthiers de Jenzat', Jean-Francois CHASSAING, Ed. Aux Amoureux de Science, Combronde, 1987
