http://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/763949/resize%3Aformat%3Dfull;jsessionid=7A0E69851B4781ADB23201716F281270American bass viol1833–45Abraham PrescottMaple, pineTwo-piece back of slab-cut maple. Ribs of bird's-eye maple. Neck of maple with irregular curl. Two-piece belly of medium-to-wide grain pine. Traditional purfling. Brass worm-gear tuning machines with oval heads and hardwood center rods. Fingerboard, tailpiece, and short endpin of hardwood painted/stained black. Nut and saddle of ebony. Old maple bridge with only two holes (rather than heart shape) for cut-outs. Dull red-brown varnish. Interior construction: Footed neck on platform carved from back. Wide semi- circular lower block. Back and belly grooved to receive ribs; no liners. Very thin corner blocks. Bass bar runs at a slight angle from center to bass side.Musical instruments11.7000000000 Centimeterhttp://collections.mfa.org/objects/detailsrdf/51287;jsessionid=7A0E69851B4781ADB23201716F281270