DHV:
278
Tourin ID:
GAL 12
Size:
Bass
Place Made:
Maker:
GB
London
Barak
Norman
Date:
1693
Label Text:
Barak Norman at the Basse Viol in St Pauls Ally London fecit 1693 [handwritten]
Body Shape:
Viol
Current Location:
GB
London
No. of Strings:
6
Collection:
Royal College of Music
Sound Holes:
C
Catalog Number:
RCM0937
Head:
Male
Private Owner:
Previous Owner:
Dietrich Kessler [and heirs], 1958-2011; Ambrose Gauntlett -1958
Measurements:
Body Length:
66
String Length:
Rib Depth:
11.8
Upper Width:
29.6
Middle Width:
22.1
Bottom Width:
36.1
Information
Source:
Hebbert 2001, p. 292; Galpin Society 1951
Literature:
Iden & Topham 2009, pp. 15-16; Hebbert 2001, p. 292 (1693:1); BVMA 2000, pp. 258-59, 409; Galpin Society 1951
Photographs:
On museum’s website (FB+S, 3/4, head FB+S, 3/4, tailpiece [color]); Iden & Topham 2009, pp. 15-16 (underside of table, inside rib corner detail, inlaid FB+TP); BVMA 2000, pp. 258-59 (F+B, head 3/4 [color]); [unpublished, in Heale Archive, on display in 1951: front]
Recordings:
Auctions:
Comments:
Inlaid fingerboard and tailpiece; double purfling; carved top. Neck and head not original. (NB in 1951, had an open scroll.) Hebbert 2001 says 3-piece table and 3-piece back; his dimensions match BVMA 2000, which were taken on the back. BVMA reports Topham’s dendrochonology results: latest growth ring 1677 on bass side, 1671 on treble. Iden & Topham 2009: came to Kessler with early-20C scroll (now replaced by copy of an extant Norman head) and non-original soundpost plate plus other crossbars, also some worm damage to ribs. Top block original (with 2 nail holes), bottom block only partially; 3-piece table, corner blocks and linings. Fingerboard veneer original, core modern, replacing twisted and worm-eaten original. Table ornament Type II, back center Type III, upper and lower Type Ia.