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Violoncello

Alternate name(s)
  • Cello
Date1820-1860 ca.
Place MadeMarkneukirchen, Saxony, Germany, Europe
Modelnone
Serial No.None
SignedNoneMarkingsnoneDescriptionTop: two piece spruce of medium grain
Back: nicely figured quarter cut two piece maple
Sides: figured maple, chamfered corners
Head and neck: maple Purfling: wood, approximately 1.5 mm wide
Decoration: two decals applied on the top, one each on the bass and treble side of the lower bout, gold, black, red and green in color. The treble side decal appears to be a lion with scroll design; the bass side appears to be a Pegasus with scroll design. Ornately engraved machine tuners with ivory tuning knobs (two of which are missing, one has been replaced by a hardwood knob)
Varnish: medium to dark brown
Fingerboard: ebony, deep gouges cut in the side (position markers?)
Nut: ebony, cut for three strings
Tailpiece: dyed hardwood
Tailgut: wire
Pegs: four engraved brass machine tuners with hardwood rollers and ivory tuning knobs (two of which are missing, one has been replaced by a hardwood knob)
Saddle: ebony
Endpin: small end button, instrument was either played between the legs like a Viola da gamba or played with a small supporting stool
F-holes: very deeply cut and slightly angled nicks
Bassbar: carved from inside of top
DimensionsTotal cello length: 1213 mm
Back length: 741 mm
Upper bout width: 326 mm
Center bout width: 224 mm
Lower bout width: 426 mm
Upper rib height: 124 mm
Center rib height: 124 mm
Lower rib height: 124 mm
Stop length: 400 mm
Vibrating string length: 675 mm
Neck length (bottom of nut to ribs): 271 mm
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Object number02545
On View
Not on view
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