Violin
Date1824
Place MadeVienna, Austria, Europe
Serial No.None
SignedEngraving on paper label with cut lower corners, the monogram stamped in black ink, and last two digits of year written in black ink: Matthæus Ignatius Brandstætter / MIB (monogram) fecit Viennæ Anno 1824.MarkingsBridge with triangular ebony insert stamped in black ink, removed January 2003: J. KRENN WIENDescriptionThis Stradivari-model Viennese violin is of the type that was used in that city during the time of Beethoven and Schubert. It is preserved in original, unmodernized condition.Top: two-piece, quarter-cut spruce: fine grain, widening then narrowing toward the flanks
Back: two-piece, quarter-cut maple: medium curl descending from center joint
Ribs: quarter-cut maple: medium curl angled to the right
Head and neck: maple: medium curl; pin hole in heel of neck, to bass side of center
Edging: distinctly rounded edges
Varnish: semi-opaque, dark red-brown
Fingerboard: ebony; slightly wedge-shaped; no channel over neck position
Nut: ebony
Tailpiece: black-stained maple veneered with ebony; no saddle; keyhole-shaped string holes; minimal curvature, made by Andrew Dipper, January 2003, based on tailgut of Stauffer violin, Vienna, 1826, NMM 10,028
Tailgut: silver tailgut soldered to a small, rectangular silver plate, engraved with a starburst in a rectangle, that fits over a portion of lower face of tailpiece, made by Andrew Dipper, January 2003, based on tailgut of Stauffer violin, Vienna, 1826, NMM 10,028
Pegs: four black-stained boxwood with mother-of-pearl eyes, the heads with a round-oval shape, the edges slightly rounded off
Saddle: ebony; narrow; extends into top portion of rib; rounded bottom edge, so that saddle is symmetrical along all axes
Endpin: later ebony with mother-of-pearl eye and incised circle around edge
Bridge: small kidneys; small heart; low feet; made by Andrew Dipper, January 2003, based on Museum Bridge B-11
F-holes: small notches
Linings: spruce; wide
Corner blocks: spruce
Top block: spruce; small
Bottom block: spruce; small
Other: original, very narrow bassbar; early soundpost; narrow parchment strip glued along back joint; top probably never removed; chin wear to varnish on bass side of tailpiece DimensionsBack length: 360 mm
Total violin length: 586 mm
Upper bout width: 168 mm
Stop length: 193 mm
Center bout width: 109 mm
Vibrating string length: 322 mm
Lower bout width: 209 mm
Neck length (bottom of nut to ribs): 130 mm
Upper rib height: 27-28 mm
Center rib height: 27-28 mm
Lower rib height: 28-29 mmProvenancePurchased from Gerhard Stradner, Vienna, Austria, 1997.Published ReferencesAndré P. Larson. Beethoven: Musical Treasures from the Age of Revolution and Romance. Santa Ana, California: Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 1999.
André P. Larson. Beethoven & Berlioz, Paris & Vienna: Musical Treasures from the Age of Revolution & Romance 1789-1848. With essay by John Koster. Exhibition catalog, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, September 12-November 2, 2003. Vermillion: National Music Museum 2003. Page 30.
Credit LineRawlins Fund, 1997
Object number06097
On View
On view
1920-1940 ca.
