DHV:
1633
Tourin ID:
Size:
Bass
Place Made:
Maker:
GB
Date:
1640 C
Label Text:
Body Shape:
Viol
Current Location:
USA
Oakton, VA
No. of Strings:
6
Collection:
Private Collection
Sound Holes:
C
Catalog Number:
Head:
Open scroll
Private Owner:
Yes
Previous Owner:
Brompton’s (as owners, not auctioneers); “a country auction in Staffordshire”
Measurements:
Body Length:
73.2
String Length:
76.7
Rib Depth:
12.9
Upper Width:
33
Middle Width:
24.7
Bottom Width:
39.9
Information
Source:
TGM examinations, 2009-11
Literature:
Photographs:
[Unpublished, by Clarissa Bruce: FB+SS; by John Topham, numerous views during restoration; by TGM, before restoration: FB+S, etc. (all color)]
Recordings:
Auctions:
Comments:
7-piece table with low arching and 10-petal rosette, 2-piece slab-cut back with 4 wings, both with double purfling; ribs have purfling-like lines about 15 mm in from each edge, but these are actually joints (original, because interior plane marks cross over them). Purchased in 2009 as a cello conversion (style of end pin suggesting c. 1900); comprehensive restoration by John Topham 2009-11, with written report (removal of previous repairs and patches, extensive repair of cracks and worm damage, lining of upper ribs, new neck and all fittings including blocks, except bass bar kept as probably original). String length chosen to be 104% of body length, as on D. Kessler’s (only slightly smaller) Jaye with its original neck; result is almost exactly 30 inches, as specified by Simpson for a division viol. Dendrochronology attempted but no viable results: perhaps table is not Alpine spruce? Similarities to work of Jaye and Smith, but not convincingly by either one, though probably from same period (2Q17C); W. Monical suggests c. 1640.