Violin
Date1890-1930 ca.
Place MadeSchönbach, Egerland, Austria-Hungary, Europe
Place MadeMarkneukirchen, Saxony, Germany, Europe
Place MadeLuby, Chebsko, Czech Republic
Place MadeCzechoslovakia
ModelMaggini
Serial No.none
SignedPrinted on paper label, the last two digits of year in pencil, the cursive initial in purple pencil: Giovan paolo Maggini / Breſcia 16[“1”, “4”, or “7”]2 / SMarkingsPencil line on inside of top and on bass side of bassbar marking center position
Illegible initials in pencil, one on bass side of bassbar, and one nearby on inside of top
DescriptionTop: two-piece, quarter-cut spruce: fine grain broadening toward the flanks, converging on center joint in lower bouts; wooden dowel through top into bottom block on bass side of center joint, under inner purfling strip
Back: two-piece maple cut off-the-quarter: prominent, narrow curl descending slightly from center joint
Ribs: maple cut off-the-quarter: prominent, narrow curl angled to right on bass side, angled to left on treble side; rib corners chamfered
Head and neck: maple: plain; extra turn on scroll; drill holes for worm-gear tuner plates, now removed; inside of pegbox stained black
Purfling: double; very narrow center strips
Varnish: medium orange-red; slightly shaded; artificial antiquing comprised of blacking at center bouts of top and back
Fingerboard: black-varnished dark-brown tropical hardwood
Nut: brown hardwood; later
Tailpiece: missing
Pegs: missing
Saddle: ebony; finished with same varnish as body
Endpin: missing
F-holes: tapered wings; rounded f-hole notches; large notches
Linings: spruce
Corner blocks: none
Top block: spruce; trapezoidal
Bottom block: spruce; trapezoidal
Bassbar: tall; chalk remaining on inside of top from chalk-fitting; possibly later
Other: circular saw marks on inside of ribs
DimensionsBack length: 359 mmTotal violin length: 594 mm
Upper bout width: 170 mmStop length: 195 mm
Center bout width: 114 mmVibrating string length: 327 mm
Lower bout width: 206 mmNeck length (bottom of nut to ribs): 133 mm
Upper rib height: 30-31 mm
Center rib height: 29-30 mm
Lower rib height: 30-31 mm
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
According to Larry Versteeg (d. 2016), his grandfather Sail Ver Steeg performed on the violin for local dances in and round Harrison and Corsica, South Dakota in the 1920s through 1940s. Sail was also an acrobat in county fairs, and a sheriff in Douglas County.
Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Object number10564
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