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American bass viol
Abraham Prescott (American, 1789–1858)
1833–45
Object Place: Concord, New Hampshire, United States
Medium/Technique
Maple, pine
Dimensions
Length 127.5 cm, width 44.2 cm (Length 50 3/16 in., width 17 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
Frank B. Bemis Fund
Accession Number1987.16
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas, Musical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Chordophones
DescriptionTwo-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.
InscriptionsStamped on machine head: A. PRESCOTT / CONCORD N. H.; in pencil inside on both middle ribs: M. Lane / Concord / N. [illegible]
Provenance1987, sold by Harold Priest, Damariscotta, Maine, to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 21, 1987)