Books › Antonio Stradivari, 1900 › scan 36
Scan 36
Antonio Stradivari, 1900
2 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1of his career. The average proportions remain the same, the differences are minute in measurement, notwithstanding their effectiveness in helping to a different expression in the designs. The exceptions referred to and made between the above dates are of a diverse kind. There is the well-known "long Strad," of which one author has said that it "has received the title," "not from increased length, but from the appearance of additional length which its narrowness gives it, and which is particularly observable between the sound holes." The actual measurements of this pattern are, length 14 8/16 inches by greatest width 8 inches bare as contrasted with the ordinary 14 by 8 1/2; it will therefore be evident at once that there is a positive increase in length, and a decrease in width. These violins are not very rare as compared with the total work of Stradivari extant. Another variation, but now very seldom seen, is a pattern that may be said to be somewhat opposite in its tendencies, as it is a trifle shorter, but of full average width, with a proportionately wider waist. This type of violin must have been sufficiently plentiful at one time, as one of the first Gaglianos made a deliberate copy of it; that is, so far as his Neapolitan idiosyncrasy and pride would permit. Besides these were the "inlaid Strads," instruments of the greatest beauty in all respects, but having instead of the ordinary purfling a broad black fillet and diamond or lozenge shaped ivory insertions alternated with smaller circular ones; they are further embellished with a floral inlaying round the sides or ribs and also on the sides and back of the scroll. These instruments — Stradivari is known to have made a quartette of them for the Spanish court—are of the greatest rarity. They are said to be all known, but this statement seems open to question when coupled with the assertion that Stradivari made other similar but very small violins. The known ones are of very full size, the parties ordering them at the time possibly being alive to the advantages of quantity as well as quality. Public opinion since the time these were made has not grown in
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