Hi Vinnie,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Naples was a significant center for mandolin craftsmanship, with prominent families like the Vinaccias and Calace producing high-quality instruments. The instrument gained international popularity, partly due to the performances of groups like the Spanish Students in the 19th century.

The Neapolitan mandolin is believed to have evolved in Naples from the Italian mandolino in the 1740s. Key modifications to its design, such as a deeper resonating chamber and raised fingerboard, were made by Neapolitan luthier Pasquale Vinaccia around 1835. Neapolitan mandolins are characterized by their deep, bowl-shaped back and often feature elaborate inlays of materials like mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell, as seen in the image.

I can't make out the label from the photo - and a clearer picture or knowledge of what it says may warrant a different value - but based on similar Neapolitan mandolins that have sold at auction, this unattributed one is worth $500-700.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique Neapolitan inlaid mandolin
late 19th/early 20th Century
With tulip-shaped inlaid headstock, mother-of-pearl veneered fingerboard, the edge of the spruce front with inlaid, over a shield inlaid beneath the sound-hole, metal tailpiece.
(DIMENSIONS)
CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition; retains a hard case
PROVENANCE: Acquired at a garage or yard sale
$ 500-700*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia