DHV:
28
Tourin ID:
ASHMOL 7, LOAN 13
Size:
Bass
Place Made:
Maker:
I
Cremona
Antonio & Girolamo
Amati
Date:
1611
Label Text:
Antonius, & Hieronymus fr. Amat[i] / Cremonen Andreae fil. F. 1611 [printed except 1611]
Body Shape:
Cello
Current Location:
GB
Oxford
No. of Strings:
6
Collection:
Ashmolean Museum
Sound Holes:
F
Catalog Number:
WA1939.24 (Ash.04); Boyden 7
Head:
Scroll
Private Owner:
Previous Owner:
Messrs. Arthur and Alfred Hill, London, -1939; Hill & Sons (in 1904)
Measurements:
Body Length:
62.9
String Length:
61.6
Rib Depth:
10.2
Upper Width:
32.7
Middle Width:
21.6
Bottom Width:
40
Information
Source:
PT visit 6/77; Boyden 1969, pp. 12-14
Literature:
Fleming 2011, pp. 44-51, 78-79; Herzog 2003, IT-27; Topham 2002, p. 252; Chiesa 2002, pp. 89-91; Miller 1994, pp. 46-51; Boyden 1969, pp. 12-14
Photographs:
Fleming 2011, pp. 44-51 (front 3/4, both sides, F+B body only, head FB+S, bottom rib, details, label (color); Fleming 2009, p. 127 (front [color]); Whiteley 2008, p. 11 (front [color]); Herzog 2002, pp. 157 (front), 160 (FB+S); Chiesa 2002, p. 90 (FB+S); Hargrave 1993, p. 269 (front body only [color]); Charlton 1985, pl. 5 (F+S); Boyden 1969, pl. 7 (FB+S); Baines 1966, pl. 91-2 (front, back of neck and head)
Recordings:
Auctions:
Comments:
Boyden 1969: 2-piece table with wings in lower bouts; back is both arched and folded, with letter M branded on button, signifying Medici ownership. Neck and fingerboard not original; pegbox clearly for 6 strings, but not certain it belongs to this instrument; scroll and soundholes of same pattern as Amati’s cellos; tailgut. Miller 1994: back and table originally same size, and ribs did not taper as they do now (compare 1597 bass at the Smithsonian). Topham 2002: dates of youngest rings in table 1602 (bass) and 1597 (treble); pieces probably from same tree. Chiesa 2002: back arching slight and quite different from Amati cellos. Fleming 2011: “possibly bass” (esp. with a longer neck), or tenor; perhaps from set of 5 (SSATB) in Medici inventory of 1700, but not clear which size. Back slab cut, also with wings; overhanging edges. Arching typical for a Cremonese violin maker, but thicknesses less than normal for a cello; soundholes and pegbox/scroll characteristic of maker. Top block original (with 3 nail holes), bottom block modern, also bass bar and all other fittings. Dimensions 62.8, 33.1/21.4/40.7, 10.1, 62.3 (widths with calipers). Drawing by John Pringle (1982) formerly available from W.E. Hill & Sons.