DHV:
1254
Tourin ID:
Size:
Bass
Place Made:
Maker:
GB
London
Edward
Lewis
Date:
1703
Label Text:
Edward Lewis at / the Harp in St. /Pauls Alley in / London 1703 [handwritten]
Body Shape:
Viol
Current Location:
GB
Culmstock, Devon
No. of Strings:
6
Collection:
Private Collection
Sound Holes:
C
Catalog Number:
Head:
Scroll
Private Owner:
Yes
Previous Owner:
John Topham, Redhill, Surrey, c. 2000-2021; Charles Beare, early 1960s to 1999/2000; Tom Sutcliffe, -1963/64
Measurements:
Body Length:
67.5
String Length:
69.2
Rib Depth:
12.6
Upper Width:
31.6
Middle Width:
22.6
Bottom Width:
39.2
Information
Source:
Former owner to TGM, 11/20; TGM visit 9/09; C. Beare to TGM, 10/01; H. Harders to TGM, 2/00
Literature:
Hebbert 2003b, p. 39 (L4)
Photographs:
Fleming & Bryan 2016, p. 88 (purfling details); [unpublished, from J. Topham 11/20: F+B, label (color)]; [by TGM 9/09, before restoration: detached table (fragmentary), back, detail of rib inlays (color)]
Recordings:
Auctions:
Comments:
In many pieces, some very fragile and fragmentary, when seen in 2009. Back divided into 3 sections by strips of bas-relief carving, the center segment filled with inlaid geometrical and floral patterns. Restored by John Topham 2016-20, from “a complete wreck” with much worm damage; bottom ribs not original, and new neck etc. needed. Not in Viollist, but Tourin evidently saw it at Beare’s shop in 1977 or 1978: notes on same page as Brussels 1423, also seen there, include dimensions 67, 31.7/22.8/38.8, 13, -, and comments “conv. to cello. Horrible condition”; back of curly maple with patterned purfling and two vertical carved stripes about 1.6 cm wide; double purfling front and back, table ornament with birds’ heads; sides with geometrical purfling.