Chitarra Batente

The Chitarra Batente was a form of guitar popular in Italy during the 1600s. The name translates to “guitar played with plectrum,” and the instrument was distinguished from almost all other early guitars by having metal strings. Like all guitars of this period, it had friction pegs for tuning (much like a violin), but otherwise it was amazingly ornate, with a neck covered in inlaid designs of genuine mother-of-pearl, a back decorated with ivory on ebony, and a top beautifully embellished by remarkable patterns of rare woods, shell, pearl, and abalone.