DHV:
993
Tourin ID:
Size:
Bass
Place Made:
Maker:
GB
London
Richard
Meares
Date:
1677
Label Text:
Richard Meares, without / Bishops-gate, near to Sir / Paul Pinders, London / Fecit 1677 [printed except 77]
Body Shape:
Viol
Current Location:
GB
Glasgow
No. of Strings:
6
Collection:
Private Collection
Sound Holes:
C
Catalog Number:
Head:
Scroll
Private Owner:
Yes
Previous Owner:
Alison Brown, Glasgow, 1974-2017
Measurements:
Body Length:
70.3
String Length:
67
Rib Depth:
11.4
Upper Width:
33
Middle Width:
24
Bottom Width:
40.8
Information
Source:
TGM visit 8/03; Sotheby’s 11/21/74, lot 193
Literature:
Wells 1975, p. 140; Sotheby’s 11/21/74, lot 193
Photographs:
Wells 1975, p. 141 (back); Sotheby’s 11/21/74, lot 193 (F+B); [by TGM: FB+S, head side, table ornament, back ornaments, label (color)]
Recordings:
Auctions:
Comments:
Sotheby’s 1974/11/21, lot 193
5-piece table with central floral ornament; 3-piece back with diamond-pattern inlay on center strip, plus ovals above and below (latter with additional semicircular line); both have double purfling. When seen in 2003, owner said neck and scroll not original (clear graft between neck and pegbox); former slightly too rounded and angled back; had fairly high bridge by D. M. Kessler (not made for A. Brown, hence before 1974). Tailpiece was cello-influenced (curved sides, keyhole slots) and endpin fitting still present, plus patch over previous hookbar. Rib height at center bout 11.7; Sotheby’s body length 71.5, probably taken on back. Restored by Shem Mackey for new owner c.2018: new neck, pegbox, head, etc. based on study of multiple other Meares viols.