Classical Mandolin Archive (https://mandolinarchive.org ) is a non-commercial project dedicated to publishing photographs of mandolins collected from a variety of sources.
Its primary aim is to gather, in one place, as much information as possible about mandolin makers—past and present—to assist with the identification, dating, and attribution of instruments.
The archive serves as a reference resource not only for musicians and collectors but also for researchers and musicologists studying the history and development of the classical mandolin.
All image copyrights remain with the original photographers. The archive makes these materials available strictly for reference purposes. If you believe you hold the copyright to a particular image and prefer it not to appear here, please contact us, and it will be removed.
If you have photographs or information about classical mandolins that you would like to see included in the archive, please email your materials to us at [email protected] We are always eager to expand the collection and would be grateful for your contribution.
We also warmly encourage contemporary luthiers to submit photographs of their instruments. These will be published in the archive along with their contact details, allowing visitors interested in their work to reach out directly.
Important note on attribution: If you find that your mandolin looks similar to one featured in this archive, please keep in mind that this does not necessarily mean it was made by the same maker. Many mandolins share similar appearances, and proper attribution of unlabelled instruments is a complex process that considers numerous factors beyond photographs. Please avoid drawing incorrect conclusions based solely on visual resemblance.
Please note: If you use any materials from this site for any purpose, you must provide proper credit and include a link to https://mandolinarchive.org
Thank you.