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Cigar-box violin
E. Clifford (English, active 19th century)
late 19th century
Object Place: Bermondsey, England
Medium/Technique
Mahogany
Dimensions
Length 57.1 cm, width 11.6 cm (Length 22 1/2 in., width 4 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Leslie Lindsey Mason Collection
Accession Number17.1727
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Musical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Chordophones
DescriptionRudely made instrument constructed from a cigar box by a blind man. Long rectangular box with two long slits for sound-holes; tail-piece and finger-board. Four gut strings.
InscriptionsManuscript label: made by E. Clifford 3 Joiners Place / Dockhead Bermondsey SE
ProvenanceFrancis W. Galpin (1858-1945), Hatfield Regis, England; 1916, sold by Francis W. Galpin to William Lindsey (1858-1922), Boston, Massachusetts; 1916, gift of William Lindsey, in memory of his daughter, Leslie Lindsey Mason, to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 5, 1916)