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This is a good quality early Germanic instrument.
Although there are no internal labels or pencil inscriptions to
help firmly identify the exact whereabouts that this instrument
was made, the rich red-brown colours of the varnish laid over a
yellow ground strongly suggest that it originated in the far south
of Germany where violin making centred on the Bavarian town of Mittenwald.
As you can see from our images, it is an instrument
of the most eye-catching and distinctive appearance. Basically it
is viol shaped with a flat back and upper angle break. What is most
interesting about this angle break is that it commences very low
down the upper bouts and has a pitch of only few degrees. The other
most notable feature of this instrument is the area around the upper
block. Instead of there being a normal concave-sided block the upper
part of this block is distinctly convex. The bulbous contours that
result dominate the form of this instrument in a way that most players
will find unfamiliar. Wait a minute - don't those block-less
instruments that were mass-produced in there thousands in Germany
during the 20th century have a similar shape to their neck block
area? Yes they do and it is highly likely that this early 19th century
full-blocked instrument or something similar would have been the
inspiration in their design.
What else tells us that this is an instrument of
quality? Just take a look at the quality of the timber used in the
back. The pronounced flaming that descends from the centre joint
is visually exceptional. Run your fingers down the back and you
can actually feel the harder flame wood standing marginally proud.
Wonderful indeed.
The ribs seem to be matched in terms of figure to
the back quite well and the table is made from spruce of a nice
even grain.
Tell me about the scroll and pegbox. The scroll is
origional to the instrument. It is well carved and as one would
expect, there is a great sense of earliness in its character.
The four cogs and worms were present on the instrument
at the time The Contrabass Shoppe
purchased it. Visually they are totally in keeping with the instrument.
Two of the cogs are slightly different in appearance to the other
two yet there are three of the cogs which measure exactly the same
as each other at 4.7cm diameter -which is large. The D cog
is very similar in appearance to the G cog but differs by being
even bigger in diameter at exactly 5.0cm. The
Contrabass Shoppe had assumed that the cogs were of an early
German design but after cleaning them a manufactures stamp - E.
Irrot a Mircourt - was revealed on the lower arm of each worm bracket.
So not early German at all but fairly early French. The D and G
cogs being of a design that we have never come across before.
We would certainly like to think that you would
because having lavished over UK£7,900-00 inc. Vat in repairs,
this is now a fully secure playing instrument. A copy of the inventory
of repairs accompanies the instrument as does a digital print out
of all the work that was done on the inside table.
It most certainly has
a great deal of character and appeal and we believe that the size,
shape and sound will definitely appeal to all you orchestral players.
Width at the upper bout 22in (55.8cm)
Width at the centre bout 15in (38.3cm)
Width at the lower bout 27.65in (70.3cm)
LOB 45.25in (114.8cm)
St length 42.25in (107.2cm)
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