Fine lute by and signed Anton Smith, Semley, 1971 to the inn...

Estimate

£10,000 - £15,000

Fine lute by and signed Anton Smith, Semley, 1971 to the inner back, with six double courses and two single courses, the back with nine figured maple ribs and with spruce table, the ebony fretboard with 7 nickel frets and five wooden frets extending over the table, the ebony pegbox with ebony pegs and single rider for the highest course, within a Kingham plush lined fitted case.

* This lute was made by Anton Smith for Julian Bream in 1971. Smith worked in Bream’s Wiltshire workshop alongside luthier Jose Romanillos and harpsichord maker Michael Johnson. It was first played by Julian Bream at his Semley Festival in 1971, with George Malcolm playing the harpsichord. Julian Bream is quoted as saying “ my new lute made by Smithy, was finished just two days before the concert.”

** A recording of this concert was broadcast on the BBC2 arts programme Counterpoint, on  31st October 1971 as ‘Bream’s Dorset Scene.’

*** The lute is also featured being played by Julian Bream on the LP cover of  'The Woods So Wild' (see illustration)

**** This lute was gifted by Julian Bream to the vendor in 2010 and still retains his name on a tag attached to the case.

Please see the following link page 22;

https://wetransfer.com/downloads/023aa78d4c944baa579e78af6bfdd9ec20240903094427/b87d424eefa6f5f66f0e62b2ab9ecb0220240903094427/9bef75