Pietro (" Il padre Dardelli") Dardelli

Was a monk in the Franciscan monastery of Mantua, who lived towards the end of the 15th century. He was one of the best makers of his time of rebecs, lutes, and viols of all kinds, which he ornamented with especially beautiful inlaid work. A very fine lute, made for the Duchess of Mantua, the neck admirably worked in ivory and ebony, and painted with the ducal coat of arms, was dated " Pietro Dardelli, 1497."