Baltimore Recorders.org
About Plucked Viols
Pictured here is a plucked viol made by Trouvere Music Works (They specialize in making affordable instruments designed for the rigors of historical reenacting.) It is based on an image from a fifteenth century French manuscript now held by the Morgan Library, M.358 (on page 32r), which shows it being played by a blue wyvern. There is a similar illustration on 32v. The instrument has characteristics of several other instruments. It has the figure eight shape of the Medieval viol. However, it has the bent-back peg box of the lute, and is plucked like the lute, as opposed to being bowed which was typical of the viol.
Web design copyright 2015 Michael Berger