What is this weird viola?

[Altgeiger]

This viola on Ebay baffles me.  It is 21" body length.  It has a combination chinrest and tailpiece.  It has three end buttons, one of which can be used to pull a small drawer out of the instrument, and other oddities.  It doesn't look heavily used, but it appears to have been played.  What could possibly have been the intent of this bizarre combination of features?

Here is the link to the posting, which has more images:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/135314693806?_skw=ritterbratsche&itmmeta=01JB87PAYS0QDZKMP4D5CVT51P&hash=item1f81625eae:g:kxcAAOSwXl1juuyQ&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKkuCrH5NWXCI9LwWxO3YB3YNFNl8mxQPhkqKVSKUmSMtnn4a7nnYSmsQP7EtsGACWoatItpiCI7YEfUdbXfNxGrfqVIv5JSI%2Bu5OQV5noXxbACqj69ut7O3mooFOkKPBgdpkxzsI9ueYBh0SyHcKCLqUPsbP%2BbH9VJrNmZ32QdoA5NyAoWYscZ67UXemI3mdLWiuiMH8lZMOC7zERbJQGEiZdKb%2F6n9C2ebrrnvncSaTLI2CY8%2Fcpf5xT9CGTzK0fk%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR7iv2YfaZA

[Niko Luthieria]

ALWAYS A VIOLA 
looks like they cut the hole for maybe transfomr in a Eletrical viola?

 

[deans]

Have to think this was a scheme for a player to rapidly switch from playing under the chin to playing with a cello endpin. This would mean there is a piece missing, a second insert fitted with an endpin. 

[Altgeiger]

2 hours ago, deans said:

Have to think this was a scheme for a player to rapidly switch from playing under the chin to playing with a cello endpin. This would mean there is a piece missing, a second insert fitted with an endpin. 

I bet that's it. It would explain the odd fitting inside the back, and a transformer doesn't make sense, since the maker or dealer's name is branded inside the drawer, and he predates electric... whatever-this-ises.

[Guido]

Isn't it obvious?

It holds a liquor bottle (the top held by the little box next to the sound post).

It's also called a vibrato modulator.

Or a Brahms fuel tank.

[Zeissica]

On 11/10/2024 at 12:19 AM, Guido said:

Isn't it obvious?

It holds a liquor bottle (the top held by the little box next to the sound post).

It's also called a vibrato modulator.

Or a Brahms fuel tank.

lol!

[SJW]

Fascinating find. I don't have much to add to the conversation to unravel this mystery but very much appreciate you sharing. 

[MysticFury]

On 10/28/2024 at 2:28 AM, Altgeiger said:

This viola on Ebay baffles me.  It is 21" body length.  It has a combination chinrest and tailpiece.  It has three end buttons, one of which can be used to pull a small drawer out of the instrument, and other oddities.  It doesn't look heavily used, but it appears to have been played.  What could possibly have been the intent of this bizarre combination of features?

Here is the link to the posting, which has more images:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/135314693806?_skw=ritterbratsche&itmmeta=01JB87PAYS0QDZKMP4D5CVT51P&hash=item1f81625eae:g:kxcAAOSwXl1juuyQ&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKkuCrH5NWXCI9LwWxO3YB3YNFNl8mxQPhkqKVSKUmSMtnn4a7nnYSmsQP7EtsGACWoatItpiCI7YEfUdbXfNxGrfqVIv5JSI%2Bu5OQV5noXxbACqj69ut7O3mooFOkKPBgdpkxzsI9ueYBh0SyHcKCLqUPsbP%2BbH9VJrNmZ32QdoA5NyAoWYscZ67UXemI3mdLWiuiMH8lZMOC7zERbJQGEiZdKb%2F6n9C2ebrrnvncSaTLI2CY8%2Fcpf5xT9CGTzK0fk%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR7iv2YfaZA

Perhaps someone wanted to combine the functions of several tools into one.

[David Alex T.]

On 11/10/2024 at 8:19 AM, Guido said:

It holds a liquor bottle (the top held by the little box next to the sound post).

An idea to pass trough customs and avoid taxes.