DescriptionThis instrument has a soundboard of spruce or pine; sides, back, neck and scroll of birch(?); fingerboard, tailpiece of pine, veneered with ebony and bone; nut and sympathetic string carrier of bone. The soundboard is of close grained wood, in three pieces, the joins occurring 20mm from the edge of the waist on the treble side and 40mm from the edge of the waist on the back side. The soundboard wood at the outside of the f-holes is in a lower plane that in between the holes, allowing a good view through the instrument. There are three holes used for cramping the soundboard at the top, none at the bottom. There is an ebony tail-gut protector and endbutton. The lowest rib goes completely around the lower bouts. The back is fairly flat and has plugged holes at the heel at the bottom. The varnish is quite opaque and has obscured the wood grain on the back and sides; it has dissolved in several places allowing the wood grain to be seen. The scroll/pegbox and neck are of one piece. The date appears at the back of the pegbox, which is violin-shaped though lacking the carved volute, instead having a lion's head. The fingerboard and bridge are very flat. There are eight simple pegs, 4 for the bowed strings and 4 for the sympathetic strings. There is a bass bar and soundpost inside the instrument.
Measurements: The neck length is 107mm; fingerboard length 221mm, 24.2mm wide at the nut, 41.0mm wide at the bottom. Soundboard arch 17.5mm; Back arch 13.5mm.
Inscription: Maker's name in pencil on the interior of the back "Arbeidt av / Asmund V Kallar / Mogedal / Telemarken", and an inked label "Reparert av : 1962 / G.G. Strommen / Varl Virmedal". Painted on the back of the head "27 mars.- 29". Pencilled on the bass bar "3.%".
Decorative features: Towards the top of the head the design becomes a carved mane with a mounted paw topped by a gilt crown and a carved mouth and nose finial; the fingerboard and tailpiece are of ebony with bone inlay giving the impression of stylised flowers. There is much inked decoration on the soundboard, sides, back and head. There are inked imitation purfling patterns and formal settings of flowers on both the soundboard and back, the sides decorated with and inked repeating flower design.
Playing accessories: 1 fine tuner.
Current ownership: Gift of Sir Gerald Elliot, 1984. |