Following are several photos, some "before" and some "after", of a small Schwarzer Zither that has recently been restored by Sasha Radicic of St Louis. I found this interesting zither on eBay. The body (top and bottom) of the zither is spruce with Brazilian Rosewood veneer on both top and bottom. They have polished up beautifully. The Zither has a stunning tulip-tree inlay all around the perimeter. A garland of colorful mother of pearl inlay encircles the sound hole and the top edge around the perimeter. The fretboard is ebony (with no serial number); this may be an early Schwarzer. The tuning pegs are cleaned and polished 5.5 mm. The zither is outfitted with Pyramid strings.

Don,

Thank you so much for sharing these photos of your restoration. Beautiful work by Sasha! This zither at the following link appears to be from the same pattern and, without a serial number, it dates to the same period as yours. Does your instrument also have "F Schwarzer" etched on the first fret of the instrument too?

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=161

Dave

Dave-

The photo of the Schwarzer you have shown is indeed very similar in shape, size and decoration. Does it also have tulip tree inlay on the perimeter side?

My little Schwarzer does not have the "F Schwarzer" inscription at the first fret as does yours. The carrying cases, though, are exactly the same including shape of storage compartment cover shape, and red color of the lid inside.

Any idea of the year yours was made? I would surmise would also be same for mine.

Don,

The photos of the other Schwarzer were shared two years ago, so I'm not sure about the tulip inlay on the side of the instrument. As for dating the instrument, the lack of a serial number provides a clue, as does the maker's label citing his award of 1873. Considering the maker's label, we know the instrument was made after the Vienna exposition. Schwarzer started to place serial numbers on the fretboard of his instruments in July, 1885, the first of which was numbered 2001 as he estimated he had manufactured 2000 instruments by 1885. Without any other marks, it seems the best we can do is to place your zither sometime between 1873 to 1885. Thanks a bunch for sharing your zither photos!

Dave