Cavaco Portuguese guitar used by the Jandaschewsky family musical clowns
Object No. 95/28/71
Cavaco, Portuguese guitar, 12 string, wood / stainless steel, made by Agostinho de Freitas Menezes, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, [1900-1960], used by musical clowns from the Jandaschewsky family
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Summary
Physical Description
Portuguese guitar plucked instrument, with 12 strings strung in 6 double courses. Similar shape to a cittern/ mandolin. Flat backed, large tear drop shaped body, flat sound board with round sound hole, light coloured, grained wood with tri-colour inlay around the edge of the body and the sound hole, ivory nut and rest with steel tail pin. Finger board is of darker wood with 19 brass frets and five inlayed finger placements. Large curved head stock like a cittern or lute, stainless steel tuning pegs move up and down slots rather than wind strings, pegs fan out horizontal to the sound board, 4 strings are missing. The head stock curves around and tapers to a diamond shape with a darker wood plate attached to the end.
DIMENSIONS
Width
388 mm
Depth
108 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Made by Augustinho de Freitas Menezes (1897-1987), in Funchal, Madeira Islands.
HISTORY
Notes
As musical clowns the Jandaschewskys used a variety of musical instruments in their routines. They were skilled at playing wind and string instruments such as this cavaco. The Jandaschewsky family collection was kept together by the last remaining family member, Arthur 'Jandy' Jandaschewsky. During the last years of his life 'Jandy' sold the collection to his friend John Anastasiadis. Mr Anastasiadis kept the collection for a 25 year period, having built a repository for housing and exhibiting it at his own home. In 1994 he sold the collection to the MAAS in order to keep it together, and in New South Wales, according to 'Jandy's' wishes.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 1995
Acquisition Date
27 January 1995
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