GoldenPlate Posted September 25, 2012 Report Posted September 25, 2012 Brompton's is offering this rare Stainer viola in its next auction sale. http://www.bromptons.co/news/442-bromptons-discovers-a-rare-stainer-viola.html It's always interesting to learn how these rare instruments are discovered and were previously underestimated !
Ratcliffiddles Posted September 25, 2012 Report Posted September 25, 2012 Having examined this instrument (very) close up, it truly is an outstanding example, in remarkable condition. The dendrochronology tests revealed strong matches with wood from the two Stainer instruments in the National Music Museum in South Dakota. Here is a close up of the central part of the front:
GoldenPlate Posted September 25, 2012 Author Report Posted September 25, 2012 These two Stainer violins are from the collection of Chimei foundation: http://archive.music.ntnu.edu.tw/chimei/v-Gem0001.html http://archive.music.ntnu.edu.tw/chimei/v-Gem0002.html
fiddlecollector Posted September 25, 2012 Report Posted September 25, 2012 Although the lionhead is beautifully carved it appears to be missing some details ? Whiskers ? Were they made by more than one carver??
Omobono Posted September 25, 2012 Report Posted September 25, 2012 I wonder is that especially unusual having wood of some 200 years previous to work with in Stainer's time? From what comes to mind Stradivari would have been working with wood cut in his life time? Everything about it cries 'Stainer', from these pics anyway and with my limited experience, and in such condition... how did it escape notice before? Lots of questions............
Ratcliffiddles Posted September 25, 2012 Report Posted September 25, 2012 I wonder is that especially unusual having wood of some 200 years previous to work with in Stainer's time? From what comes to mind Stradivari would have been working with wood cut in his life time? The Brompton's viola wood has a latest ring about 110 years previous to the attributed making date. The NMM violin, from 1668, also has a fairly distant latest ring date of about 90 years previous to the making of it,but the NMM tenow viola, made circa 1650, which has a one piece front, only about 30.
cbouts Posted September 25, 2012 Report Posted September 25, 2012 When I first saw the article awhile back ago I was floored the condition. Absolutely stunning. The "lady blunt" of Stainer?
jacobsaunders Posted September 25, 2012 Report Posted September 25, 2012 I somehow hope that this story doesn't make it into the newspapers, since I shudder to think how many "attic Stainers" I would have to examine!
deans Posted September 25, 2012 Report Posted September 25, 2012 Anyone know the dimensions of this instrument?
Ben Hebbert Posted September 26, 2012 Report Posted September 26, 2012 401 mm, but it may have been cut down just a tiny bit. Its surprisingly small given the one in South Dakota (and a similar one I know of... ).
deans Posted September 26, 2012 Report Posted September 26, 2012 Thanks Ben. Aside from the big tenor, at least one of Stainers other violas is right around 16.25 inches I believe. This one seems a little smaller.
Addie Posted September 27, 2012 Report Posted September 27, 2012 I somehow hope that this story doesn't make it into the newspapers, since I shudder to think how many "attic Stainers" I would have to examine! Are you implying that he didn’t brand his instruments, just under the button?
lyndon Posted September 27, 2012 Report Posted September 27, 2012 i thought the modern view was that stainer never originally used the lions head scroll?????
Addie Posted September 27, 2012 Report Posted September 27, 2012 If I remember my Saunders Academy Stainer Lecture correctly, he did, and they are pear wood.
martin swan Posted September 27, 2012 Report Posted September 27, 2012 A very nice original Stainer violin with a lion's head scroll sold at Sothebys last year. With its original neck and no graft!
GoldenPlate Posted September 27, 2012 Author Report Posted September 27, 2012 These two Stainer violins are from Chimei's foundation
bean_fidhleir Posted September 28, 2012 Report Posted September 28, 2012 These two Stainer violins are from Chimei's foundation mwahahaha "Germany-Tyrol". Evidently it's no just us Scots wha hae tae pit up wi "Glasgow England" an siclike
Omobono Posted September 30, 2012 Report Posted September 30, 2012 A very nice original Stainer violin with a lion's head scroll sold at Sothebys last year. With its original neck and no graft! This would be it presumably?
martin swan Posted September 30, 2012 Report Posted September 30, 2012 That's the fella, funny blemish by the right f-hole. However I was wrong about it being in original condition, it had a scroll graft ...! I'm not sure if the neck had been modernized or just repaired. I think it was bought for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment so I would imagine it must be the latter.
Ratcliffiddles Posted October 30, 2012 Report Posted October 30, 2012 So it went for over 200K GBP with the commission! it was nice...
deans Posted October 30, 2012 Report Posted October 30, 2012 Is that an auction record for Stainer? I dont recall any Stainers going for that much. Undervalued IMO.
Ben Hebbert Posted November 4, 2012 Report Posted November 4, 2012 Stainer violas seem to be like London busses - you wait for ages, and they all come at once.... its Christie's turn now! http://www.amati.com/viola/viola-instrument/a-viola-by-jacob-stainer-absam-circa-1663.html#?image=507f08335bddd1.67447044.jpg
bean_fidhleir Posted November 4, 2012 Report Posted November 4, 2012 Stainer did such lovely work. What a pity that he was afflicted with such a dreaful life. I'm sure it diminished his output greatly.
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