DHV:
1378
Tourin ID:
Size:
Bass
Place Made:
Maker:
D
Berlin
Jacob
Meinertzen
Date:
1701
Label Text:
Jacob Meinertzen / konigl. Hoff. Viol di gamb- / [und] Lautenmacher in Berlin 1701 [printed except 01)
Body Shape:
Viol
Current Location:
D
No. of Strings:
6
Collection:
Private Collection
Sound Holes:
C
Catalog Number:
Head:
Female
Private Owner:
Yes
Previous Owner:
[Private owner in Switzerland]
Measurements:
Body Length:
67.5
String Length:
63
Rib Depth:
Upper Width:
30.6
Middle Width:
23.2
Bottom Width:
38
Information
Source:
T. Muthesius to TGM, 2-3/03, 7/15
Literature:
Meyer 2015, p. 46
Photographs:
Meyer 2015, pp. 47-51 (FB+SS, F+B body only, head FB+SS, label [color]); [unpublished, from T. Muthesius 11/10: label (color)]
Recordings:
Auctions:
Comments:
Muthesius: carved back; neck not original (“cello-like...too narrow” and evidently short). Double purfling on front, single on back, no ivory or bone edging. Fingerboard “more or less plain”. Meyer 2015: earliest known (bowed string) instrument by a Berlin builder; body dimensions and soundhole proportions show French influence; old neck graft suggests former owner wanted the feel of a cello neck; wood and craftsmanship of high level; pegbox with carved back and sides; brown fingerboard and tailpiece with black edging. Very full sound despite many repairs; last 2 digits of date now legible only under magnification as deformations to the paper;.