Books › A descriptive catalogue of the musical instruments in the South Kensington museum, preceded by an essay on the history of musical instruments, 1874 › scan 280
Scan 280
A descriptive catalogue of the musical instruments in the South Kensington museum, preceded by an essay on the history of musical instruments, 1874
12 lines. Read by computer on 14 September 2026. Printed page 260. See the scan on archive.org.
1almost identical with the foregoing, but having only one string, is given in Martinus Gerbert's 'De Cantu et Musica Sacra.' The manuscript from which this illustration has been derived, is supposed to date from the eighth or ninth century. In Germany, the oval, or rather pear-like form of the Anglo-Saxon fithle was still preserved, although somewhat modified, as late as the sixteenth century, in the Geige, of which some engravings are given in Martin Agricola's 'Musica instrumentalis,' Wittemberg, 1545.
3Such were the instruments from which our violin has gradually been developed, until it attained, in the seventeenth century, that degree of perfection which has never since been surpassed. The violin makers whose instruments are still most highly valued, are,—Antonio Amati, whose most flourishing period dates between the years 1592 and 1619; Nicolo Amati, the nephew of the preceding, 1662–1692; Giuseppe Guarneri, 1690–1707; Antonio Stradivari, 1700–1725; and Jakob Stainer, 1650–1670. All these celebrated makers, except Jakob Stainer, were Italians, living at Cremona. Jakob Stainer (or Jacobus Steiner), was a native of Absom, a village near Innsbruck in the Tyrol. No other works of art have probably experienced so great an increase in price as the violins of these celebrated makers. Stainer used himself to carry his violins to the monasteries situated in the neighbourhood of Absom, where he lived. He sold them at 12s. apiece. It was not until after his death that his workmanship was duly appreciated. A violin by Joseph Guarnerius, fetched in London, 700 guineas; perhaps the largest sum which has ever been given for a violin.
534. '69.
7VIOLIN and Bow. Carved with scrollwork, and the royal shield and supporters. Said to have belonged to King James I. English. Early 17th century. L. 1 ft. 11 1/4 in., W. 8 in., L. of bow 2 ft. 4 1/2 in. (Bought, 15l.)
9499. '68.
11VIOLIN. German. Modern. (Bought, Paris Exhibition, 1867, 4s.)
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