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Scan 84
Old Violins And Their Makers, 1883
2 lines. Read by computer on 30 September 2026. Printed page 70. See the scan on archive.org.
1distinguished by a gradual, graceful, and harmonious arching, carried almost to the purfling, the greatest perpendicular height of the arch at the centre of the instrument being about half-an-inch from the level of the rims, whereas in the Amati school it is about one inch. The purfling is broader than that of Nicolas Amati, and the varnish, where it has been preserved, is of a brilliant tint. Of the fine specimens of this period mentioned by former writers as being on the Continent, some are now owned in this country, The celebrated violin, for example, formerly held by the violinist, A. G. M. Artot, who died in 1845, and which Fetis and later writers refer to as in the possession of the Count Cessol at Nice, has been recently acquired by an amateur of taste in Edinburgh. Its owner, Mr. Croall, informs me that it is still in perfect preservation, without a flaw, and describes its tone as being the greatest and grandest he has ever heard. The varnish is dark red, and the date 1716. This instrument has been coveted by more than one of the most distinguished performers of our day. The same gentleman has another perfect example of Stradivari, of date 1702—the year of the so-called "siege"—having, as its owner says, a most fascinating and powerful tone. This amateur is also the happy possessor of a very fine Maggini, and of a Hieronymus and Antonius Amati. His is a rich collection—at least, in quality—but there are many splendid specimens of Stradivari in this country. Out of about a dozen instruments from his hand, as shown at South Kensington in 1872, six dated from the "grand period." Two of this number came, however, from France, and will be referred to presently. A celebrated "siege" instrument, i.e.,
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