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Hardingfele
Maker: Gunnar Olavsson Helland
Date: 1908
Place Made:Bø, Telemark, Norway, Europe
Serial No: none
SignedPlain printed label with no borders:
[seals with various decorations and indecipherable texts]
Gunnar Helland
Violinmager
Bø, Telemarken, [empty space] 1908 [last digit handwritten]
Label is read through treble f-hole, although
[seals with various decorations and indecipherable texts]
Gunnar Helland
Violinmager
Bø, Telemarken, [empty space] 1908 [last digit handwritten]
Label is read through treble f-hole, although
DescriptionA folk violin with 4 primary strings and 4 sympathetic strings, although a number of these
are missing on this instrument, as received.
Pronounced arching at the f-holes
No purfling on front or back; instead there is extensive penned (ink) decoration (floral,
foliate) on belly, back, ribs, and pegbox. Some of the design, at the edges and on pegbox,
resembles inlaid pieces of alternating dark and light-colored wood.
The tailpiece and fingerboard are similarly decorated with bone and mother-of-pearl
the f-holes are not nicked
the belly is made from 2 pieces of wood, as is the back
the sympathetic strings should be attached to metal hooks at the tailpiece. The tailpiece is
attached to the endbutton with 2, interlocking metal hooks
the fingerboardhas a decidedly n-shape.
The pegbox terminates in a dragon’s head with its tongue stuck out, bone teeth (missing
on treble side), and topped with a gilded crown and mane.
Ebony saddle
Unlike #4556, this instrument has blocks and is lined inside.
Honey-colored varnish
Thick bassbar
Neck is glued, not like #4556
are missing on this instrument, as received.
Pronounced arching at the f-holes
No purfling on front or back; instead there is extensive penned (ink) decoration (floral,
foliate) on belly, back, ribs, and pegbox. Some of the design, at the edges and on pegbox,
resembles inlaid pieces of alternating dark and light-colored wood.
The tailpiece and fingerboard are similarly decorated with bone and mother-of-pearl
the f-holes are not nicked
the belly is made from 2 pieces of wood, as is the back
the sympathetic strings should be attached to metal hooks at the tailpiece. The tailpiece is
attached to the endbutton with 2, interlocking metal hooks
the fingerboardhas a decidedly n-shape.
The pegbox terminates in a dragon’s head with its tongue stuck out, bone teeth (missing
on treble side), and topped with a gilded crown and mane.
Ebony saddle
Unlike #4556, this instrument has blocks and is lined inside.
Honey-colored varnish
Thick bassbar
Neck is glued, not like #4556
DimensionsBack length: 35 cm
Overall length: 60.6 cm
Width, upper bout: 15.5 cm
Width, center bout: 10.5 cm
Width, lower bout: 19.5 cm
Thickness: ca. 6 cm
Vibrating string length: 28.5 cm
Fingerboard length, without nut: 21.6 cm
Tailpiece length: 13.2 cm
Thickness of ribs: 3.2 cm
Overall length: 60.6 cm
Width, upper bout: 15.5 cm
Width, center bout: 10.5 cm
Width, lower bout: 19.5 cm
Thickness: ca. 6 cm
Vibrating string length: 28.5 cm
Fingerboard length, without nut: 21.6 cm
Tailpiece length: 13.2 cm
Thickness of ribs: 3.2 cm
ProvenanceHardingfele belonged to Esther Knutson’s father, Elias Johnstad (born Naustdal, Norway, 1889). Elias, shown holding this instrument in accompanying photo, came to America in 1907. He became a naturalized citizen of U. s. on May 24, 1916, at Sisseton, South Dakota. Photo taken between March 20 – September 6, 1914, in Norway.
Terms
Credit Line: Gift of Wayne and Esther Knutson, 1990
Not on view
Object number: 04928