Images(2)

Violin

Date1900

Place MadeWisner, Nebraska, United States, North America

SignedBlack ink inscription on inside of back: maDE. Jan. 11. 1900 / BY. Bob Stewart / Wisner Neb.MarkingsIllegible black crayon writing on neck under fingerboard positionDescriptionWhile no Robert Stewart has been identified in Wisner, Nebraska, Richard M. Stewart (b. September 15, 1850, Iowa, d. 1933, Verdon, Nebraska) was living in Wisner from at least 1885 to 1890. His profession was farming.

This violin appears to copy an inexpensive Vogtland commercially produced violin of the second half of the 19th century. Noteworthy are the presence of linings on only one side of the center bouts and the integral neck and top block. It is possible that the head, neck, and top block were recycled from a violin that broke, and Bob Stewart made a replacement body from local woods.

Top: two-piece, quarter-cut softwood: wide grain broadening to very wide at edges; no notch at neck joint
Back: two-piece, slab-cut maple: irregular, narrow curl rising steeply from center joint
Ribs: quarter-cut hardwood with prominent ray flecks and open pores; one-piece lower rib
Head and neck: maple: plain; inside of pegbox stained black; possibly re-used from Vogtland commercial violin
Edging: no recurve
Purfling: none
Varnish: dark red
Fingerboard: ebony
Nut: missing
Tailpiece: missing
Pegs: missing
Saddle: missing
Endpin: missing
F-holes: undercut
Linings: at joint in center bouts at joint with top only
Corner blocks: softwood
Top block: integral with neck
Bottom block: softwood
Bassbar: triangular profile
Other: circular saw marks on inside of ribsDimensionsTotal violin length: 603 mm
Back length: 362 mm
Upper bout width: 162 mm
Center bout width: 111 mm
Lower bout width: 204 mm
Upper rib height: 27-29 mm
Center rib height: 26-27 mm
Lower rib height: 26-29 mm
Stop length: 193 mm
Vibrating string length: 323 mm
Neck length (bottom of nut to ribs): 129 mmProvenanceNo known provenance.

Credit LineArne B. Larson Estate, 1988

Object number15029

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