Books › The Violin: A concise exposition of the general principles of construction.., 1871 › scan 148
Scan 148
The Violin: A concise exposition of the general principles of construction.., 1871
2 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1fame now victoriously crowns him with its never-dying laurels. His violins are now made with extreme care, several having the scrolls beautifully ornamented with the heads of lions and other animals, whilst the varnish appears as a limpid coating of reddish-brown crystal. A few of those violins may be included in the latter part of his second period, during which the instruments bore printed labels. His wife having now died, it is related that he entered the gloomy solitudes of a Benedictine Convent, there not only to adhere to the scrupulously strict duties of an ascetic life, but also to distinguish himself by the completion of sixteen instruments which have been pronounced by all judges as masterpieces of genius. Through the kindness of the Superior, he was enabled to obtain wood of pre-eminent merits for the construction of those instruments which have been known by the name of Elector Steiners, from the fact of twelve of these instruments having been presented to the Twelve Electors of the Empire, whilst the remaining four were presented to the Emperor. Those instruments were all that could well be desired both in finish and quality, and bore labels inscribed in his own handwriting. Those superior violins characterise his third period, but only three of those instruments are known at the present time. No records are known to exist containing particulars relative as to when or where this esteemed maker died. The violins of Steiner may be generally described thus:—They are of high model, the breast being deeper than the back; the edges strong, thick, and round, with narrow indenting or purfling.
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