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Violin
Moses A. Tewksbury (American, 1787–1860)
1853
Object Place: Chester, New Hampshire, United States
Medium/Technique
Maple, pine
Dimensions
Length 58.5 cm, width 21 cm (Length 23 1/16 in., width 8 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Frank B. Bemis Fund
Accession Number1987.8
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas, Musical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Chordophones
DescriptionOne-piece back of slab-cut maple. Ribs similar. Neck of maple with medium irregular curl. Two-piece belly of wide grain pine. Very faded painted purfling. Scroll has narrow ears and little undercutting. Back of pegbox has shallow channels. Saddle of ebony. Yellow-brown varnish. Interior construction: Footed neck on platform carved from back. Very narrow liners and very small corner blocks. Bass bar angled from bass side to center seam.
InscriptionsPrinted label (glued upside down from traditional orientation): MOSES A. TEWKESBURY, / MANUFACTURER AND REPAIRER OF / Bass & Double Bass Viols & Violins, / CHESTER, N. H. / [handwritten: 1853] / MANUFACTURED 184
Provenance1987, sold by Harold Priest, Damariscotta, Maine, to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 21, 1987)