Teardrop with Floral Decal, Galax, Virginia

Teardrop with Floral Decal, Galax, Virginia

This dulcimer is a well-crafted instrument with attention to detail. A mate to this instrument is in the Charles Faulkner Bryan dulcimer collection at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee.

DS-8

Galax, Virginia

D

Tennessee State Museum, Nashville, Tennessee

S. Conatser, Z. Law

32 3/8" x 7 1/2" x 2 1/8"

modified elliptical or teardrop shape; top and back extend slightly over the sides; back a single piece of wood; 2 small sound holes on opposite sides of fretboard; remains of small floral decals above sound holes; functional wooden "feet", one of which is missing; headstock a single, carved block of wood; fretboard hollow with two holes; 3 screws in fretboard, purpose unclear; some evidence of rodent gnawing on soundholes; 17 frets, inset like staples, that do not extend across the fretboard; four metal tuning pins that appear hand-forged; no strings, but instrument is in good overall condition as could be playable.