Some time ago there was reference to gut loops on the rear of lutes and guitars. Michael Fleming has just sent me details of a painting recently sold by Sothebys which apparently shows a loop of ribbon attached to a nail(!) near the centre of the back of a small 5 course guitar - slightly toward the bass side. Auctioned at Sothebys, New Bond St, 24 April, lot no 56 in a sale of Old Master Paintings. Artist: David Ryckaert, Antwerp 1612 - 61.
I could send an attachment to anybody interested today or tomorrow, but anticipate being offline for some days from Monday. Peter To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
