tradfiddle Posted December 13, 2018 Report Share Posted December 13, 2018 Well, I'm not saying that... but there are some clear 'dimension groups' for 18th century Mittenwald violins. Some makers were remarkably consistent. And some were a bit rough and ready. But for me its really the locator pins and the one piece slab back that are outside of normal Mittenwald expectations. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
feelingfaceform Posted December 16, 2018 Report Share Posted December 16, 2018 Looks like a nice fiddle Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uguntde Posted December 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 I will post dimensions when I have access to the instrument again later this week as I am currently travelling. I always wondered about the locating pins, the shape of the f holes, the one piece front and slab back. Also the square blocks, not the round half moon shape typical for Kloz instruments. More like what you see in later French violins. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uguntde Posted December 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2018 Here the dimensions, hard to measure over the high arch: Length of back over arch: 358mm Width: upper bouts: 166mm lower bouts: 204mm mid C bouts: 114mm Rib heights: neck: 31-32mm, bottom 32-33mm, mid C bouts 31mm, corners (all 4) 32mm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tradfiddle Posted December 18, 2018 Report Share Posted December 18, 2018 Longer lengths of 358-360mm tend to be more common on post 1780 in Mittenwald instruments. Earlier ones tend to hit a ceiling around 356mm. Your c bout width (114mm) is on the wide side for anything out of Mittenwald and has a French aspect to it. In my accumulated database your measurements are closest to Joseph Knitl instruments (1777-1791): However, none of Knitl's instruments that I have seen have slab backs or locator pins. I use metric comparisons as an initial guide of 'the possible' from which to then go over to stylistic traits. I suppose its the professional archaeologist in me - it works for all other sorts of material culture. However your problem is that aspects of the technical style - the pins, wood choice for the back - are not very 18th century Mittenwald. This pushes me more in the direction of early to mid 19th century where there is unfortunately less Mittenwald maker instrument documentation. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rossini Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 how about Schmidt ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uguntde Posted December 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 The square shaped blocks (not the half moon shape) is French, isn't it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tradfiddle Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 Square shaped blocks can be many, many things - and even with Mittenwald instruments corner blocks are usually just subtly concave, not glaringly so. And many other areas can also have concave blocks. But I am not a qualified blockologist like some other folk here! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uguntde Posted December 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 Knitl should have a signature on the back. I will have another close look whether there is anything faded, but I think not, I would have seen this. The pins, in particular the 3 in the button, could be later - although, why would anyone add 3 pins there??? Reminds me of Monty Python's Michelangelo in which he paints the Last SUpper with 3 Christs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martin swan Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 The 3 pins in the button look like a quaint repair to a separated button ... The two in the back look like later additions. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tradfiddle Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 Martin - why add locator pins (the ones top and bottom - not the ones on the button) after the fact? To make it look Italian? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martin swan Posted December 19, 2018 Report Share Posted December 19, 2018 2 hours ago, tradfiddle said: Martin - why add locator pins (the ones top and bottom - not the ones on the button) after the fact? To make it look Italian? Yes - it's an extremely common way of dressing mutton up as lamb ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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