Images(4)

Violoncello

ALTERNATE NAME(S)

Bass viol

Date1800-1850 ca.

Place MadeNew England, United States, North America

DescriptionTop: Two-piece, quarter-cut pine or spruce: medium grain broadening toward the sides; two knots in lower bouts; top not notched at neck position
Back: one-piece slab cut plain maple; large button
Ribs: slab-cut maple: plain
Head and neck: maple; plain; back of pegbox flat; first turn of scroll volute deeply scooped; scroll ears flat; piece of iron set into neck and affixed with two flat-head screws to repair break, early repair dating to original period of use
Purfling: two black-painted lines on back; lines discontinue at button; removed from front
Varnish: medium brown on back: brown milky paint-like varnish on other areas of instrument, later
Fingerboard: black-stained maple; tapered; walnut inlaid flush frets marking first 3 diatonic stopped notes; maple dowel through fingerboard into neck heel
Nut: ebony
Tailpiece: ebony; saddle does not extend to edges; later
Tailgut: brass wire; later
Pegs: maple; one black-stained and others plain; flat head surfaces
Saddle: rosewood; set into top; tall; later
Endpin: black-stained maple; second hole for spiked endpin below present endpin, now missing
F-holes: rounded wings
Linings: light hardwood; small
Corner blocks: light hardwood; very small
Top block: integral with neck
Bottom block: spruce
Bassbar: carved from inside of top; low height; narrow

DimensionsTotal violoncello length: 1225 mm
Back length: 806 mm
Upper bout width: 365 mm
Center bout width: 242 mm
Lower bout width: 460 mm
Upper rib height: 98-100 mm
Center rib height: 98-101 mm
Lower rib height: 98-102 mm
Stop length: 425 mm
Vibrating string length: 663 mm
Neck length (bottom of nut to ribs): 239 mm

Credit LineGift of Angela Schmeltekopf, 2024

Object number15806

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