Violin
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InstrumentViolin/Violins/Strings/Musical Instrument ; Violin |
Instrument FamilyStrings |
MakerDavid Stirrat |
Place MadeEdinburgh ; Europe ; Scotland ; United Kingdom |
Date Made1814 |
DescriptionThis violin has a soundboard of spruce; ribs, back and scroll of maple; pegs of rosewood and fingerboard of rosewood stained to look like ebony; tailpiece of ebony. The instrument has a deep orange/red varnish and purfling of dark/light/dark wood. The soundboard grain is of variable width. Currently strung with four metal strings. The varnish on the soundboard has worn away where the chin would have rested during playing. Slight scratching to the soundboard from use over time. Chip on the back of the upper bout at the top. Measurements: Neck length:136mm Fingerboard length: 276mm width at nut 23mm, width at bottom 51mm Soundboard length: 347mm; Widest width of top bout: 164mm Widest width of lower bout: 205mm. This instrument’s dark orange/red varnish is typical of Stirrat’s work and reflects one of the key differences between his work and that of another Edinburgh violin maker of the time, Matthew Hardie, who preferred a lighter varnish. In 1814, at the time of this instruments making, Stirrat was likely working from 210 High Street. He is associated with Matthew Hardie on at least one occasion in which a Hardie Violin is signed “D. Stirrat / Edin 1822”. Stirrat’s work was often modelled on that of Stradivari but he often used local, plainer materials to produce his instruments. |
CollectionMIMEd |
Accession Number6616 |