Violin
Date1891-1910 ca.
Place MadeMarkneukirchen, Saxony, Germany, Europe
Serial No.none
SignedPrinted on paper label: GermanyMarkingsTyped on paper label with slightly cut corners, visible through treble f-hole, the text of the repair label effaced: [oblit.] U. S. A.
Stamped on bridge: DRESDEN
DescriptionTop: two-piece, quarter-cut spruce: medium grain, broadening toward the flanks
Back: two-piece, quarter-cut maple: faint, medium curl descending from center joint
Ribs: quarter-cut maple: very faint, medium curl; rib corners chamfered
Head and neck: maple: plain
Edging: edges capped with alternating trapezoidal segments of maple and black-stained pearwood affixed to a parchment or vellum base, lined on the inside edge with strips of maple and black-stained pearwood, the trapezoidal segments angled to the right on bass side of top, to the left on treble side of top, to the left on bass side of back, and to the right on treble side of back
Decoration: back ornamented at top and bottom edges with floral inlay comprised of narrow-gauge purfling, irregularly cut abalone fragments, and black mastic, and at center with oval-shaped decorative inlay comprised of narrow-gauge purfling, irregularly cut abalone fragments, and black and silver mastic
Varnish: medium red, later; original staining brown varnish was shaded over inlaid decoration on back
Fingerboard: spruce with black-stained or dyed pearwood veneer; inlaid decoration near bottom end of fingerboard: mother-of-pearl flowers (three) and leaves (two) etched with red-and-green-painted detail, three inlaid nickel-silver stems
Nut: ebony
Tailpiece: varnished ebony; inlaid mother-of-pearl flowers (three) and leaves (four) etched with red-and-green-painted detail, with mother-of-pearl ring set in black mastic at the center of top flower, and three inlaid nickel-silver stems; inlaid mother-of-pearl eye at lower end; nickel-plated steel saddle does not fully extend to edges
Tailgut: black plastic
Pegs: four ebony with mother-of-pearl eyes enclosed in brass rings; later
Saddle: ebony; finished with same varnish as body
Endpin: ebony with mother-of-pearl eye enclosed in brass ring; later
F-holes: slightly undercut; inside edges stained black
Linings: spruce
Corner blocks: none
Top block: shallow
Bottom block: shallow
Bassbar: carved from top; low height
Other: circular saw and burn marks visible on inside of ribs
DimensionsTotal violin length: 592 mm
Back length: 359 mm
Upper bout width: 168 mm
Center bout width: 109 mm
Lower bout width: 206 mm
Upper rib height: 30 mm
Center rib height: 28-30 mm
Lower rib height: 29-30 mm
Stop length: 195 mm
Vibrating string length: 328 mm
Neck length (bottom of nut to ribs): 134 mm
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Object number05062
On View
Not on view
1840-1900 ca.
1850-1900 ca.