Violin
Date1790-1830 ca.
Place MadeKlingenthal, Saxony, Germany, Europe
Serial No.none
MarkingsnoneDescriptionThe Hopf family were prominent and prolific makers in Klingenthal and surrounding villages in the Vogtland region of Upper Saxony. Numerous makers are recorded, but the lack of labels or brands differentiating them make attributions diffult. This violin bears a strong similarity with two instruments made by David Christian Hopf, the father and the son of the same name, in the Musikinstrumenten Museum Markneukirchen, including one that has all three initials of the name on its back. Instruments by these members of the family are of finer quality, with a light, golden varnish and nicely finished workmanship. This example is notable for its exaggerated f-holes and corners, which make a strong, yet well balanced impression. The violin is preserved in original condition with an unaltered neck and veneered fingerboard characteristic of the period.
Top: two-piece, quarter-cut spruce: fine grain; pin through top into top block on bass side of center joint; pin through top into bottom block on treble side of center joint; flared corners; no notch at neck position
Back: one-piece, semi-slab-cut maple: narrow curl descending slightly from treble to bass; flared corners
Ribs: quarter-cut maple: narrow curl
Head and neck: maple: faint, narrow curl; low neck rise
Arching: low
Purfling: does not continue under fingerboard
Varnish: light orange
Fingerboard: spruce veneered with black-stained pearwood; U-shaped lower end; slightly tapered
Nut: ebony; narrow; later
Tailpiece: missing
Pegs: four ebony with mother-of-pearl eyes and concave heads; later
Saddle: ebony; extends into lower ribs; later
Endpin: black-stained pearwood; small head
F-holes: small eyes; strongly flared wings; large notches; undercut
Linings: spruce
Corner blocks: spruce
Top block: integral with top block; wider and longer at joint with back
Bottom block: spruce
Bassbar: low height
Other: saw, toothed plane, and burn marks on inside of ribs
DimensionsTotal violin length: 583 mm
Back length: 356 mm
Upper bout width: 169 mm
Center bout width: 111 mm
Lower bout width: 210 mm
Upper rib height: 28-29 mm
Center rib height: 28-29 mm
Lower rib height: 28-29 mm
Stop length: 194 mm
Vibrating string length: 326 mm
Neck length (bottom of nut to ribs): 133 mm
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Estate, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1988.
Credit LineArne B. Larson Estate, 1988
Object number04857
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