Mute Violin

Charles Francis Albert, Sr. American, born Germany

Not on view

Mute violins have been used as practice instruments and for special acoustical effect since the seventeenth century. Leopold Mozart used the term "Brettgeige," or "board violin," to describe a mute violin consisting of a curved board without a soundbox. Patented in 1886, this unusually shaped mute violin has a body made entirely of maple, a wood that does not vibrate freely. The bridge height can be adjusted by two pegs located on either side of the body.

Mute Violin, Charles Francis Albert, Sr. (1842–1901), Maple, ebony, brass, various other materials, American

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Mute Violin, Charles Francis Albert, Sr. (1842–1901), Maple, ebony, brass, various other materials, American
Mute Violin, Charles Francis Albert, Sr. (1842–1901), Maple, ebony, brass, various other materials, American

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