A French hurdy-gurdy, mid 18th century, by Pierre Louvet stamped P. Louvet/A Paris on the side of the keybox; the lute-shaped body of nine ribs alternately stained, the wheelguard and tailpiece decorated with birds and flowers, the keybox lid and table edged with alternating ebony and ivory lozenges, two C-holes, six vertical wooden pegs, the crank handle of ivory, the pegbox surmounted by a woman's head finial, two keyed strings and four drones, overall length 26.15/16in. (68.4cm)