looks like it's likely a fake: http://www.artsjournal.com/slippeddisc/2013/11/leonardos-ins...
Well, according to that article, not exactly. Even if this instrument is not a reconstruction of Da Vinci's, it is still a reconstruction of a real instrument. A misnomer, perhaps. While that is disappointing, it makes me curious as to why it didn't catch on like the piano.
true, "fake" is a strong word. It's still really cool. AS to why it didn't catch on, well, who knows? it's joined the ranks of the Arpeggione and the Rothphone, i guess.
So many cool instruments have gone by the wayside. I would love to try playing a Rothphone. I'd also really like to mess around with a lithophone and one of these "wooden harps".
I have a soft spot for impractically large musical instruments. Behold: the subcontrabass saxophone.
The glorious Tubax! Ever seen a subcontrabass clarinet? Leblanc only made one or two for displays. Also, the MandoBass