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 315
Scan 315
A descriptive catalogue of the musical instruments in the South Kensington museum, preceded by an essay on the history of musical instruments, 1874
8 lines. Read by computer on 14 September 2026. Printed page 289. See the scan on archive.org.
1that her arms are also upon it. In the tail-pin is inserted a gilt silver stud, to which the tail-piece is looped, with a lion's face curiously wrought on the top; this is secured by a nut which screws to it on the under side of the instrument, whereon are engraven these letters and figures I P supposed to signify the year when it was made and the initials of the maker's name. The subject of the carving on the deepest part, and on the side above presented to view, is a man with an axe standing on the ground, and working upon some fallen branches of an oak tree. On the opposite part are represented hogs under an oak tree, and a man beating down acorns; the rest of the carving is foliage; the whole is in alto relievo. Under the carving is a foil of tinsel or silver gilt. The back of the instrument is not curved, but forms a very obtuse angle, and from the bottom of the back, extending to the back of the dragon's head, the carving, which is very bold, consists of oak foliage. Notwithstanding the exquisite workmanship of it the instrument produces but a close and sluggish tone, which, considering the profusion of ornament, and the quantity of wood with which it is encumbered, is not to be wondered at."
3Burney, in his 'History of Music,' London, 1789, vol. iii. p. 16, says: "The instrument is at present the property of Mr. Bremner, in the Strand. It is very curiously carved, but the several parts are so thick, and loaded with ornaments, that it has not more tone than a mute, or violin with a sordine; and the neck, which is too thick for the grasp of the hand, has a hole cut in it for the thumb of the player, by which the hand is so confined as to be rendered incapable of shifting, so that nothing can be performed upon this instrument but what lies within the reach of the hand in its first position."
5It has been suggested that this violin is the work of J. Pemberton, a maker of some celebrity in London about the year 1580; but there seems to be no other indication in support of this opinion than the initials above mentioned. On the other hand, we have the opinion of an authority that the wood carving is some centuries older than the upper portion of the instrument, and that it dates from about 1330. This violin may therefore be a reconstruction of an older instrument of the violin kind.
7The Museum contains also an electrotype reproduction of this interesting relic, which has been made by Messrs. Franchi and Son.
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