In a message dated 12/15/03 9:53:31 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> 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. Quite a few years ago, there was a nice article on number symbolism, the Arabic roots, and renaissance numerology and cosmology and lute roses by Anthony Rooley in Early Music. Maybe someone here has the exact reference? Kenneth --
