DHV:
753
Tourin ID:
ROM 1
Size:
Tenor ?
Place Made:
Maker:
D
Mainz
Johann Joseph
Elsler
Date:
1746
Label Text:
Johann Joseph Elsler, Churfurstl. / Mayntzischer Hoff- / Lauten- / und Geigenmacher, 1746 [printed except 46]
Body Shape:
Viol
Current Location:
CDN
Toronto, ON
No. of Strings:
5
Collection:
Royal Ontario Museum
Sound Holes:
Flame
Catalog Number:
913.4.7
Head:
Scroll
Private Owner:
Previous Owner:
R. S. Williams, Toronto, -1913; Edward John Payne -1904
Measurements:
Body Length:
44.2
String Length:
41-42
Rib Depth:
6.4
Upper Width:
21.7
Middle Width:
14.5
Bottom Width:
27.5
Information
Source:
TGM visit 1/07; PT visit 10/78; Cselenyi 1971, p. 10
Literature:
MacCracken 2022, p. 86; Catch 1997, p. 132; Young 1980, p. 117; Cselenyi 1971, p. 10
Photographs:
Young 1980, p. 117 (front 7/8); Cselenyi 1971, p. 10 (front 7/8); [unpublished, from museum: head 7/8]; [by TGM: FB+S, label (color)]
Recordings:
Auctions:
Comments:
2-piece table with low arching, some recurve, and edge binding in a darker wood; 1-piece slab-cut back (ribs of similar wood); no purfling on front or back; both overhang the ribs. Soundholes shaped differently and lack circles on inner edges found in similar but unlabeled instruments in Boston and Edinburgh. 2 pegs treble, 3 bass side; pegbox fluted on back, otherwise plain. Museum documentation mentions a bridge marked “Chanot,” not seen. 2 back braces with vertical profiles. Tailpiece with mother-of-pearl flower inlay, fastened with tailgut and button. No frets when seen. Young 1980: Viola made from a viola d’amore; Cselenyi 1971: small tenor viol (date given as 1776); Tourin: tenor; “could be arm viol”.