Violin
Date1780 ca.
Place MadeNetherlands, Europe
SignedPrinted on paper label, the last two digits of year written in red ink: Thomas Eberle / Fecit Neap. 1738MarkingsBranded on bridge on both sides: TOBIN [Richard Tobin, London, 1766-1847]
Die-stamped with white numbering on lower end of pegbox: 6971
Die stamped on lower rib to bass side of end pin: 160
DescriptionThis small violin resembles the model of the Dutch maker Johannes Cuypers but its authorship is uncertain. It bears a bridge by the English violin maker Richard Tobin dating to the first half of the nineteenth century.
Top: two-piece, quarter-cut spruce: medium grain broadening toward the edges; some wavy grain; wood pin through top into top block on treble side of center joint; wood pin through top into bottom block on bass side of center joint
Back: one-piece, quarter-cut maple: plain; two maple pins through back button into neck heel
Ribs: quarter-cut maple: medium curl; one-piece lower rib
Head and neck: maple: plain; neck reangled and reshaped
Purfling: continues in front of saddle
Varnish: medium orange
Fingerboard: ebony; channeled under neck position; later
Nut: ebony; later
Tailpiece: ebony; later
Tailgut: red gut
Pegs: four black-varnished rosewood; later
Saddle: ebony; extends into lower rib
Endpin: ebonyl kater
F-holes: small eyes; curved wings, curved notches
Linings: spruce
Corner blocks: spruce
Top block: spruce
Bottom block: spruce
DimensionsTotal violin length: 539 mm
Back length: 320 mm
Upper bout width: 146 mm
Center bout width: 95 mm
Lower bout width: 181 mm
Upper rib height: 27-29 mm
Center rib height: 27-29 mm
Lower rib height: 28-30 mm
Stop length: 170 mm
Vibrating string length: 293 mm
Neck length (bottom of nut to ribs): 124 mm
ProvenanceLaurence Witten acquired from Emil Herrmann, Monroe, CT, 1968.
Purchased by the National Music Museum from Laurence Witten Family, New Haven, Connecticut, 1984.
Credit LineWitten-Rawlins Collection, 1984
Object number03416
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