Topic: Odd unidentified mandolin
Just picked up an old mandolin which I cant identify . No apparent makers marks ,I'd say from the condition its early 20th century .It has a flat top and is shaped rather like a traditional Celtic mandolin ,the body has straight sides which are around 1 3/4 inches deep but the strange feature is the back is semi bowl shaped with triangular marquetry inlays in black and natural wood with a central hole about 3/16 " in diameter . The front has an inlaid scratch board with a flower pattern ,rose wood finger board and open tuners like a classical guitar . There also appears to be some green /white flower pattern paper stuck inside but as i said no makers marks . I've made an extensive search to no avail , I will post some pics when I get home to see if any one can help before I start any restoration .