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Posted

In flicking through the recently ended tarisio auction files I spotted a Carcassi head (it doesn't state the head is not original) with what appears to be either a rivet/(stud?) or decorative black dot at the center of the volute of the scroll on both sides. I cannot recall ever seeing something like this before. Nor do I see any similar device in any other Carcassi. 

I seem to have some recollection of a similar idea on some early fiddle with perhaps a gemstone removed?

(Or a I getting confused with the 'Red Violin' in the fictitious story?)

Any thoughts about this?

What does come to mind is the 18th Century 'beauty spot' fashion..... :P

 

 

 

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Posted

The Soil Strad has an intriguing spot at the center of the volute which looks suspiciously like a fill for a previous insert?

Whether of Strad's doing or otherwise is another question......

 

 

 

 

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Posted
5 hours ago, martin swan said:

 I think there was briefly a fashion for setting a precious stone in the eye of the scroll.

Briefly, Martin, because the precious stones became a distraction?

What do you think was going on with the Soil above?

 

Posted

The Nicolo Amati "King Louis XIV, ex Youssoupov" violin of 1656 has gemstones set into the eyes of the scroll (a ruby in one side and an emerald in the other). There are also matching gemstones incorporated into the fleur-de-lis designs on the top plate. I can't find a good picture of the scroll online, but it's part of the Corcoran collection in DC, and featured in a few books/articles.

Posted
3 hours ago, joshuabeyer said:

The Nicolo Amati "King Louis XIV, ex Youssoupov" violin of 1656 has gemstones set into the eyes of the scroll (a ruby in one side and an emerald in the other). There are also matching gemstones incorporated into the fleur-de-lis designs on the top plate. I can't find a good picture of the scroll online, but it's part of the Corcoran collection in DC, and featured in a few books/articles.

Good Catch!
http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_763853

Posted
17 minutes ago, gowan said:

This Smithsonian story says that the CT scans show the stones have the density of glass.  Does this mean they are not actually gems?

When was there not a propensity for faking, in the fiddle business? ;)

Posted
2 hours ago, David Burgess said:

When was there not a propensity for faking, in the fiddle business? ;)

Considering it was donated by Herbert Axelrod, anything is possible I guess !! :D

Posted

My favorite American maker occasionally added ebony extensions to the ears of his scrolls, as well as other (usually ebony) trim at various other locations on his instruments.

5abd7d96ba474_1926No.565Scrollback.jpg.4799e28bc04131d898e199bc5e0f3ef2.jpg

Goddess Scroll 2.jpg

Posted
On 3/29/2018 at 12:16 AM, Omobono said:

The Soil Strad has an intriguing spot at the center of the volute which looks suspiciously like a fill for a previous insert?

Has it been x-rayed?  Could be a lost chapter of The Da Vinci Code stashed in there.

Posted

Thanks to all. Especially delighted to see that Nicolo Amati.

Wow! That's brilliant.

So what would be the verdict on the Carcassi?

- original work in ebony?

- later ornamentation?

 

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Posted
On 03/04/2018 at 3:48 AM, martin swan said:

It took me a while to track down this photo.

The violin is a Michael Albani - shock horror, not a GENUINE TYROLEAN VIOLIN??!!??

Oh No!!! :o

(Thanks for going to the trouble, Martin ....... :P)

  • 4 years later...
Posted
On 3/29/2018 at 7:00 PM, Ron1 said:

My favorite American maker occasionally added ebony extensions to the ears of his scrolls, as well as other (usually ebony) trim at various other locations on his instruments.

5abd7d96ba474_1926No.565Scrollback.jpg.4799e28bc04131d898e199bc5e0f3ef2.jpg

Goddess Scroll 2.jpg

Hi I know this is very old, but which American maker are you referring to?

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