DHV:
745
Tourin ID:
RCM 2
1692
Bass
Barak
Norman
# of Strings:
6
Place Made:
GB, London
Body Shape:
Viol
Current Location:
GB, London
Sound Holes:
C
Collection:
Royal College of Music
Head:
Open scroll
Catalog Number:
46
Label Text:
Barak Norman / At the bass viol / in St pauls Ally / London Fecit / 1692 [handwritten]
Measurements:
Body Length:
63.5
String Length:
66.1
Rib Depth:
11.3
Upper Width:
Middle Width:
Bottom Width:
28.8
21.7
34.8
Previous Owner:
Sir George Donaldson, -1894
Information Source:
TGM visit 10/01; PT visit 9/78
Literature:
Photographs:
Recordings:
Auctions:
Comments:
Wells & Nobbs 2007, pp. 138-39; Mullen 2006, p. 25; Topham 2003, p. 138; Hebbert 2001, p. 291 (1692:1); Loan 1885, p. 2
Wells & Nobbs 2007, pp. [ii] (F), 12 (F [color]), and 139 (FB+S, head side, tailpiece, label) and Mullen 2006, p. 25; Remnant 1989, p. 60 (front); König 1985, pp. 104-108 (FB+S, details of FB+TP, head side); museum postcard (front [color])
3-piece table, 2-piece back (upper half lightly bird’s-eye, lower half becoming slab-cut; ribs similar but upper and lower characteristics reversed), with double purfling on both. Neck quite possibly original, but wedge under fingerboard new, by Kessler (in 1960s), to correct neck twist; tailpiece not original. Pegbox totally plain; fingerboard and tailpiece highly inlaid (dark on light, with black perimeter). Table and back have been half-edged; 1 crossbar at fold, probably modern; top block not rounded but has corners. Topham 2003: youngest growth ring is 1677 for bass stave, 1678 for center, and 1679 for treble; almost certainly all from same tree. Wells & Nobbs 2007: “original neck and pegbox”; new fingerboard with original marquetry re-applied, also bass bar, soundpost, and bridge, all by Kessler; in fragile condition due to woodworm damage; dimensions 63.2, 28.7/21.3/34.6, 11.2, 65.9. Drawings by Stephen Barber (1976) available from RCM museum. Table ornament Type III, back center Type III, upper and lower Type II.