Violin
Maker
Leander M. Nute
Date1900
Place MadePortland, Maine, United States, North America
Serial No.97
SignedPrinted on paper label, the last two digits of year and the serial number written in black ink: L. M. NUTE / fecit - Portland, Me., 1900 / #97Markingsnone
DescriptionMaker lived 1837-1925. Leander M. Nute, born in New Hampshire in 1837, was listed in the 1860 Census as a station master living in Lisbon / Franklin Township, Linn County, Iowa. His one-year-old son had been born in Iowa, indicating that Hute had been in Iowa since at least 1859. In 1870 he was living in Somersworth, Strafford, New Hampshire, working as a shoe manufacturer. The birth of his second daughter (7 years old in 1870) in Iowa indicates that he was in Iowa until at least 1863. His youngest daughter, 1 year old in 1870, was born in New Hampshire, indicated that he had returned to his home state by 1869. Nute was listed in the 1880 Census still as a shoe manufacturer in Somersworth. In the 1882-1887 Dover (Great Falls), New Hampshire directory, Nute is listed as proprietor of L. M. Nute & Co., but in 1892, he was listed as a shoe manufacturer with Sullivan. By the early 20th century, he devoted his full attention to violin making, and in 1920 he is listed in Portland, Maine as a manufacturer of violins.
Top: two-piece, quarter-cut spruce: medium grain converging at the center joint in the upper bout
Back: one-piece, slab-cut maple: prominent, irregular, narrow curl
Ribs: quarter-cut maple: prominent, narrow curl, angled slightly to the right on the bass side and slightly to the left on the treble side; tool marks visible on inside
Head and neck: maple: irregular, narrow-to-medium curl; neck stained light red-brown
Edging: edges of top and back scraped after application of the varnish to simulate wear, and traces of black stain applied
Varnish: red-orange, slightly shaded on top, back, and ribs
Fingerboard: ebony
Tailpiece: period ebony tailpiece from Arne B. Larson parts collection added by museum for display, 12/01; see accessories for tailpiece that came with violin
Pegs: four rosewood with mother-of-pearl eyes enclosed in brass rings
Saddle: ebony
Endpin: ebony inlaid with celluloid ring, originally enclosing a central eye, now missing
Linings: willow
Corner blocks: spruce
Top block: nail through block into neck
DimensionsTotal violin length: 589 mm
Back length: 356 mm
Upper bout width: 169 mm
Center bout width: 120 mm
Lower bout width: 208 mm
Upper rib height: 27-28 mm
Center rib height: 28 mm
Lower rib height: 28 mm
Stop length: 194 mm
Vibrating string length: 325 mm
Neck length (nut to ribs): 131 mm
Credit LineGift of Neal and Karin Meisel Steffenson, 1998
Object number06139
On View
Not on view
