Not to start the cycle over again, but I doubt the rose has any significant acoustic effect other than controling the effective size of the opening.
As to the origins - the Moors were extremely advanced practitioners of the art of ornamental symmetry. Perhaps, bored with the sight of an open hole, they covered it with an ornamental grill work. This just became a visual tradition that was carried over into the lute. (Much as most modern guitars are made with a ring of ornamental marquetry around their soundholes as a matter of course.) Perhaps someone with a better background in Art History could comment. ...Bob ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Replies: (remove the "ZZZZ") Ekko Jennings: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Bob Clair: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
