A musical moment

In Venice, outside the water gate of a rather grand hotel. I am not sure what the instrument is. Perhaps a mandolin?

 

My friends Aperture Addict and Guanchadilla tell me that this instrument is a lute (with 10 pairs of strings). Many thanks to both.

 

Here is a piece by Dowland being played on a 10 course Renaissance lute www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_K5zRA2APo

Done