Viola.
1
Photo by Dominic Ibbotson © The University of Edinburgh
InstrumentViola |
Instrument FamilyStrings |
Date MadeCirca 1880 |
DescriptionThis instrument has a soundboard of spruce; ribs, back, neck and scroll of sycamore; fingerboard and tail-gut protector of ebony; pegs and endbutton of rosewood. Marks on the soundboard suggest the instrument at one time had a substantial bridge and may have originally been a type of viol. Those marks, with the current neck would give the instrument a string length of around 345mm. The instrument is viol-shaped in both general appearance and in the arching. It has exaggerated f-holes that angle outwards at the bottom, following the curve of the instruments. Both soundboard and back have ebony/sycamore/ebony purfling and a golden varnish. One piece back of slab sawn, unfigured sycamore with a plugged hole from the back into the heel. The heel is larger than the back extension, which has been enlarged by added ebony. The head, which is built up from a number of different pieces, has been grafted onto the well-figured neck. Measurements: Neck length 141mm; fingerboard length 283mm, width at nut 24.3mm, at bottom 48.3mm. Soundboard arch 14.5mm; back arch 16mm. No inscription. Playing accessories: chin-rest, aluminum mute with two prongs stamped "SYMMONS", bridge, strings. With shaped black pressed cardboard case, arched top, with puce velvet lining, with key and a purse; handle missing; containing receipt for repair dated 25 Aug '42. Some of the ribs show splitting and cracking. Current ownership: Gift of Mrs. E. Brackenbury. |
NotesD. Martin, 1993-94. |
Measurements615 |
ProvenanceGift of Mrs E. Brackenbury. |
CollectionC.H. Brackenbury Memorial Collection; MIMEd |
Accession Number1578 |