Apache fiddle

Alternate name(s)

fiddle, single-string

Maker Mescalero Apache Indian

Date1900 ca.

Place MadeArizona, United States, North America

Place MadeNew Mexico, United States, North America

Serial No.none

Signednone
Markingsnone
Description1 string
material: vegetal stalk, agave (body); wood (peg and bridge); twine (single string); sinew (string rest below peg)
configuration: section of vegetal stalk (agave) split, hollowed, except for the ends, and reassembled, carved in three integral, cylindrical sections; held together with sinew wrapping below peg, as well as four, laterally-inserted, metal tacks, two in upper end, two in lower end
peg: hand-carved, cylindrical peg; flattened, rectangular end forms handle of peg; inserted laterally through holes carved through vegetal stalk
bridge: hand-carved, rectangular block of wood, resting on the long side; two grooves carved into bridge, string rests in one; bridge straddles split in vegetal stalk
string: twine string, tied and wrapped around peg, passing through irregularly carved triangular opening; attached at opposite end to metal tack driven into end of stalk, alongside the split
sound holes: two small, mismatched rhomboid forms carved at upper end of middle cylindrical sections, on split; one small, severely mismatched rhomboid form at upper end of lower cylindrical section, on split; one large, matched rhomboid form on lower end of lower cylindrical section, on split
adornment: two grooves carved into upper cylinder of stalk, above peg, with bands of green paint; two grooves carved into lower cylinder of stalk with bands of green paint
Dimensionslength (overall): 374.2 mm (14.72 in)
upper cylinder:
length: 58.2 mm (2.3 in)
diameter : 48 mm (1.89 in)
middle cylinder:
length: 187 mm (7.4 in)
diameter: 39.7 mm (1.6 in) widening to 42.5 mm (1.7 in)
lower cylinder:
length: 129 mm (5.1 in)
diameter: 52.5 mm (2.06 in) widening to 53.5 mm (2.1 in)
string length (from where string leaves vegetal stalk body to bridge): 240 mm (9.45 in)
bow string length: 450 mm (17.71 in)
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Published ReferencesShrine to Music Museum Newsletter, April, 1975, p. 2. This article shows entire display case; it is not specific to this instrument.

"Musical Country Cousins. A Look at some rare folk instruments." _Selmer Bandwagon, no. 58 (1969), p.13

Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979

Object number00875

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