Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/A/Arch-lute

by John Weeks Moore

Arch-lute, or ARCIELUTO. (I.) A theorbo, or large lute, the bass strings of which are doubled with an octave, and the higher strings with a unison. This instrument was formerly in such repute, in most parts of Europe, that solos were frequently performed upon it in public. It is still used in Italy, where it is called the arcieluto.