Violin

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Instrument

Violin/Violins/Strings/Musical Instrument ; Violin

Instrument Family

Strings

Place Made

Europe ; France ; Western Europe

Date Made

1760-1780

Description

The violin has a soundboard of spruce; back, sides, scroll and neck of sycamore; fingerboard, tailpiece, soundboard protector, chin rest, endbutton and pegs of ebony. The golden varnish has bubbled in places. The instrument has ebony/sycamore/ebony purfling and high arching. The lowest rib goes around all of the lower bout, and the back is made from one piece of wood. There are plugged holes at top and bottom of the soundboard, as well as the top and bottom of the back. Very light, wide figure, down on the left side of the back, up on the right. The head and neck show wild grain and figure in the wood. Measurements: Neck 130mm long; fingerboard 273mm long, 25.7mm wide at nut, 41.3mm wide at bottom. Soundboard arch 17mm, back arch 15mm. "183" in ink on the back. With case (1179) for the violin (325) formerly belonging to James Hogg (the 'Ettrick Shepherd'). Violin case of wood, oblong shape with an arched coffered lid. Overall length 776, Overall width 361, maximum depth 140, depth at the edge 110. Covered on the outside with burgundy dyed leather and brass studs. Brass handles at each end, lock in centre at the front, hooks and eyes at front at either side. Previously had a carry handle at the front (probably not original) - now removed and preserved inside. Interior of the case lined with green felted cloth (fittings removed by previous owner). Three hinges at the back. The lower part of the interior has added plywood pieces going above the top edge to give some added support. Sides 17 thick. The scroll may be a later replacement. Partitions of original case (1179) removed c 1950; conservation treatment of the leather covering of original case (1179) grant-aided by the Scottish Museums Council. Associated with bow (316) and with (1179) original case. Illustration references: Vol. 1 p. 55. Specific usage history: Used by James Hogg (the 'Ettrick Shepherd'). Previous ownership: Bequeathed by Robert Sym to James Hogg; inherited by Hogg's youngest daughter, Mrs. Mary Garden; then inherited in 1911 by her nephew and Hogg's grandson, Robert Gilkison; finally in 1942 by Hogg's great-granddaughter Mrs. E. Parr of Ngaio, Wellington, New Zealand. Current ownership: Gift of Mrs. E. Parr, 1964; the case (1179) given in 1981. (Reid Collection).

Other Information

Repair History: The scroll may be a later replacement. Partitions of original case (1179) removed c. 1950; conservation treatment of the leather covering of original case (1179) grant-aided by the Scottish Museums Council. Specific usage history: Used by James Hogg (the "Ettrick Shepherd").

Notes

D. Martin, 1993-94.

Measurements

593.

Provenance

Bequeathed By Robert Sym to James Hogg; inherited by Hogg's youngest daughter, Mrs Mary Garden; then inherited in 1911 by her nephew and Hogg's grandson, Robert Gilkison; finally in 1942 by Hogg's great-granddaughter Mrs E. Parr of Ngaio, Wellington, New Zealand. ; Gift of Mrs E. Parr, 1964; the case (1179) given in 1981.