Franz Schwarzer Arion Zither - Model 64

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Franz Schwarzer Arion Zither - Model 64

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The Sisters of St. Benedict, in Ferdinand, Indiana, shared a photo of a Franz Schwarzer zither currently on display in their reception area. This zither, an Arion model 64, has serial number 4711, which dates it to 1892. An early catalog provides the following description for this model:

"No. 64 -- Top veneered with especially prepared Rosewood Burl; sides veneered with genuine Rosewood; ivory celluloid bound edges and colored wood inlaid purflings; patent aluminum stringholder; finely engraved German silver patent head; in leather covered, velvet lined case, with nickel-plated trimmings."

I counted 32 strings on this zither. At some point, Schwarzer added 3 additional open strings to bring the total number of strings to 35.
Attachments
Franz Schwarzer Arion zither, model 64
Franz Schwarzer Arion zither, model 64
schwarzer_64.jpg (188.12 KiB) Viewed 2331 times
A close-up of the mechanic.
A close-up of the mechanic.
schwarzer_mechanic.jpg (223.22 KiB) Viewed 2331 times
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