Circa 1787–1793 Renault & Chatelain Arch Cittern (Cistre Théorbé) – Rue de Braque, Paris

This is an 18th-century French arch cittern by Renault & Chatelain, Paris, which was building instruments during the final decades of the Ancien Régime.

The instrument bears an internal printed paper label reading: “Renault & Chatelain; rue de Braque, au coin de la rue Ste Avoye. A Paris, 17..” (numbers following 17 are illegible).

The back is stamped “Renault A Paris” , with additional Paris branding above the soundhole beneath the fingerboard extension. The Rue de Braque address corresponds with the firm’s documented activity in the late 1780s and early 1790s.

Renault & Chatelain were among the prominent Parisian makers of citterns and arch-citterns (cistre théorbé) during the final period of the instrument’s popularity in France. Their work reflects the refined aesthetic of late 18th-century Parisian plucked instruments, produced during the transitional years immediately preceding and following the French Revolution.

Construction

• Pear-shaped arch body

• Spruce top

• Flamed maple or sycamore back and sides

• Ebony fingerboard

• Pressed paper rosette (original)

• Mixed original and period pegs

• Overall length: 44″

• Fretted scale length: 19.75″

• Harp string length: approximately 31″–32.5″

The instrument retains its original rosette and maker’s markings. The back exhibits attractive flame figure consistent with high-quality Parisian work of the period.

Condition

The instrument is structurally stable and currently playable.

• Internal bracing has been professionally secured.

• The top has been refinished.

• Bridge is a modern reproduction of the original pattern.

• Nut is later replacement.

• Binding shows areas of repair and partial replacement.

• Tuning pegs are largely original with some later substitutions.

• String pegs are a combination of original and later examples.

• Frets appear original and consistent with the ebony fingerboard.

The instrument is presently strung with custom silk-core strings on the harp courses and steel-core strings on the fretted side.

Historical Context

Arch citterns (cistre théorbé) represent one of the final evolutions of the wire-strung cittern tradition in France. By the late 18th century, the instrument was increasingly supplanted by the emerging classical guitar, making surviving examples from this period comparatively scarce.

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