http://collections.mfa.org/internal/media/dispatcher/763862/resize%3Aformat%3DfullAmerican bass violabout 1825–30Abraham PrescottMaple, pineTwo-piece back of maple with medium curl descending from the joint (becoming slab cut at edges). Ribs and neck similar. Maple wedge (5 mm. maximum thickness) between neck and fingerboard. Back of pegbox finished flat. Two- piece belly (with wings) of medium-to-wide grain pine. Traditional purfling. Elongated F-holes with offset notches. Brass worm-gear tuning machines with oval heads and brass center rods. Fingerboard of maple (originally painted black). Tailpiece and endpin socket of hardwood painted black. Nut and saddle of ebony. Old maple bridge of unusual design. Orange-brown varnish. Interior construction: Footed neck on platform carved from back, with one screw going downward into platform. Rectangular lower block with chamfered corners. Liners appear to be later; back and belly possibly originally grooved to receive ribs. No corner blocks. Bass bar angled from bass side to center seam.Musical instruments10.5000000000 Centimeterhttp://collections.mfa.org/objects/50874/rdf