DHV:
748
Tourin ID:
RCM 5
Size:
Treble
Place Made:
Maker:
GB
Date:
1610 C
Label Text:
[N]athaniel Cro[ss] (written on inside of table just above bridge)
Body Shape:
Violin
Current Location:
GB
London
No. of Strings:
-4
Collection:
Royal College of Music
Sound Holes:
C
Catalog Number:
RCM0184
Head:
Scroll
Private Owner:
Previous Owner:
Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha (2nd son of Queen Victoria), -1895; “obtained in New Zealand”
Measurements:
Body Length:
42.6
String Length:
37.5
Rib Depth:
6.5
Upper Width:
19.7
Middle Width:
14
Bottom Width:
24.5
Information
Source:
Wells & Nobbs 2007, pp. 134-35; TGM visit 10/01; PT visit 9/78
Literature:
Wells & Nobbs 2007, pp. 134-35; Mullen 2006, p. 24; Herzog 2003, GB-4; Hebbert 2003a; Topham 2003, p. 137; [Engel 1872, p. 13 (no. 151), according to Wells & Nobbs 2007]
Photographs:
On museum’s website (FB+S, bottom rib [color]); www.mimo-db.eu (front [color]; Wells & Nobbs 2007, pp. 11 (FB+S [color]) and 134-35 (FB+S, bottom rib); Hebbert 2003a, p. 197 (FB+S [color]); [unpublished, from museum: FB+S]
Recordings:
Auctions:
Comments:
Converted to a viola; Tourin listed as small tenor. Table probably 2-piece (with wider rings on treble side of each piece), with double purfling; C-holes completely above lower corners. 5-piece striped back (3 light, 2 dark) with double purfling (colors reversed when crossing dark stripes); ribs same as dark stripes, probably fruitwood. Back has lower-bout fold for playing on shoulder; inscription “[N]athaniel Cro[ss]”, said to be written on inside of table just above bridge (not seen), probably relates to this modification in 18th C. (Copenhagen D98, now with a viola d’amore neck, has same body outline and striped back with double fold, and also has signature of “Nathaniel Cross in Pickadilly near St. James Church London”.) No sign of a hookbar; plugged hole at original center of bottom block suggests it had a tailgut before modification. Topham 2003: youngest growth ring on bass side is 1516; treble side not datable. Wells & Nobbs 2007: 2-piece table, carved; ribs of “?plum”, back stripes are 3 maple, 2 “?plum”; corners unmitered; “neck and pegbox ... c. 1740 or later; neck angle ?early 19th century”; dimensions 42.4, 19.5/13.5/24.3, 6.8, 37.3.