DHV:
939
Tourin ID:
Size:
Bass
Place Made:
Maker:
GB
London
Barak
Norman
Date:
1692
Label Text:
Barak Norman / At the basse viol / in St Pauls Ally / London Fecit / 1692 [handwritten]
Body Shape:
Viol
Current Location:
USA
New York, NY
No. of Strings:
6
Collection:
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Sound Holes:
C
Catalog Number:
1990.233
Head:
Open scroll
Private Owner:
Previous Owner:
Dennis Nesbitt, London, -1990
Measurements:
Body Length:
63.6
String Length:
67.2
Rib Depth:
11.6
Upper Width:
29.1
Middle Width:
21.9
Bottom Width:
35.1
Information
Source:
TGM visit 8/92; Libin 1991, p. 52; Sotheby’s 6/14/90, lot 287
Literature:
Mackey 2013a; Hebbert 2001, pp. 291-92 (1692:2); Kaycoff 1992, p. 6; Libin 1991, p. 52; Montagu 1991, p. 103; Sotheby’s 6/14/90, lot 287; Made for Music 1986, no. 2; Handel: A Celebration of his Life and Times, 1685-1759 (National Portrait Gallery, London, 1985), no. 79.
Photographs:
On museum’s website (FB+S [color]); The Viol 2020, front cover (F+B, tailpiece [color]); Mackey 2013 (F+B, head side [color]); Libin 1991, p. 52; (front [color]); Montagu 1991, p. 104 (front); Sotheby's 6/14/90, lot 287 (F+B [color]); Made for Music 1986, no. 2 (front 7/8)
Recordings:
Dupré 1956/58 (Purcell)
Auctions:
Comments:
Sotheby’s 1990/06/14, lot 287
Libin 1991: scroll original, also [veneer of] elaborately inlaid fingerboard and tailpiece [on new supports]. Very similar to 1692 bass at London, RCM. Cost £30,800 (= $56,056). Peknik, VdGSA News 9/92: Hasty restoration has led to cracks; fake damage marks in finish. Neck was once inset into table. Repair labels: “Restored by G. Saint George Mar. 1899 / new neck fingerboard etc. etc.” (handwritten); “Dietrich M. Kessler / of Zurich / London / Restored Jan. 1956” (printed except last line). Met’s dimensions 63.7, 28.9/21.5/34.8, 11.9, 67.0 (NB ribs 11.6 bottom, 11.9 center); Hebbert’s dimensions 63.7, 29.0/21.0/35.5, 11.8, 66.0; Mackey: 3-piece back; dimensions (probably on back) 63.6, 28.8/21.5/34.9, -. -. Dendrochronology done 1999 by Peter Klein reveals youngest tree tring in table is from 1667. Table ornament Type II, back center Type II, upper and lower Type II.