Mute Violin

18th century

Not on view

This is an unusual and rare form of a "mute" or "practice" violin without a back or soundchamber. Even though it was made for private use, the instrument has a festooned body, a shield shaped head, and a carved geometrical rosette in a circular sound holes. Around the soundhole and corners are inlaid mother-of-pearl studs. The workmanship and decoration are rather crude, suggesting the instument was not built by a trained luthier.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Mute Violin
Date: 18th century
Geography: Nürnberg, Germany
Culture: German
Medium: Wood, pearl
Dimensions: Total Length: 20 in.
Width: 7-1/2 in.
Classification: Chordophone-Lute-bowed-unfretted
Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
Object Number: 89.4.1564
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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Natural Trumpet, Johann Wilhelm Haas German, Brass, German — Natural Trumpet
Johann Wilhelm Haas
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"Gould" Violin, Antonio Stradivari Italian, Maple, spruce, ebony, Italian (Cremona) — "Gould" Violin
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Jagdhorn in G, Jacob Schmidt German, Brass, German — Jagdhorn in G
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ca. 1710–20

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