Skip to main content

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
On View
Not on view
Bass viol
Jeremiah Wait
June 1826
Bass viola da gamba
Zanetto de' Micheli da Montichiaro
1520-1564 ca.
Violoncello
David Snyder
1849
Bass viola da gamba
Ventura di Francesco de' Macchettis Linarol
1582
Bass viola da gamba
Giovanni Guidanti
1728
Viola
Pietro Giovanni Mantegazza
1793
We use cookies to ensure we give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to use this site or by closing or clicking "I agree", you agree to the use of cookies. I agree