Viola.
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InstrumentViola/Violas/Strings/Musical Instrument ; Viola |
Instrument FamilyStrings |
MakerRichard Duke |
Place MadeLondon ; Europe ; England ; United Kingdom |
Date Made1779 |
DescriptionThis viola has a soundboard of spruce; back, ribs, scroll, neck and tail-gut protector of sycamore; endbutton and pegs of fruitwood; fingerboard and tailpiece of ebony; chin-rest (modern) of cedar. The soundboard grain is of variable width, wide in the centre, reducing towards the edges and wide again nearest the edges. The instrument has a golden brown varnish and purfling of ebony/sycamore/ebony. There is a plugged hole under the tailpiece for attaching the soundboard to the bottom block. The ribs have curly grain with a light figure; the lower bouts are covered by one rib. The one piece back is of medium depth figure rising from right to left. There are plugged holes on the back, used as a decorative as well as a practical feature: 2 plugs at the bottom, 2 at the top and one from the heel. The neck and head are of one piece; there is an 8mm thick added piece on the heel between the neck and the back. Inlaid mother-of-pearl diamond on tailpiece. Measurements: Neck 132mm long; fingerboard 277mm long, 25.6mm wide at the nut, 49mm wide at the bottom. Soundboard arch 20.5mm; Back arch 18mm. Repair History: The upper treble rib has cracked and been repaired. Inscription: Handwritten label "Rich Duke / In Holborn Londini / fecit 1779". Stamped on the back at the top "DUKE. / LONDON". Stamped at the bottom on the robs "DUKE". Playing accessories: chin-rest, metal mute. With shaped black-painted wooden case with arched top, lined with green baize; with key. Some damage to the treble f-hole. The upper treble rib has cracked and been repaired. Performance characteristics: An outstanding English viola of the classical period; very responsive. with warm, dark tone. Specific literature references: G.S. (1968) No 577. Illustration references: Vol. 1 p. 56. Previous ownership: Probably the 'tenor violin' by Duke purchased by Professor John Donaldson for the Music Classroom, University of Edinburgh, from Thomas Glen, 2 North Bank Street, 14 November 1855 for £3/15/0. (Reid Collection) |
NotesD. Martin, 1993-94. |
Measurements637. |
ProvenanceProbably the `tenor violin' by Duke purchased by Professor John Donaldson for the Music Classroom, University of Edinburgh, from Thomas Glen, 2 North Bank Street, 14 November 1855 for £3/15/0. |
CollectionMIMEd ; Reid Collection |
Accession Number0334 |