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Guitar-shaped violin
Peter M. Slocum (active 1830–1834)
1834
Object Place: Newport, Rhode Island, United States
Medium/Technique
Maple, spruce, ebony
Dimensions
Length 62 cm, width 22.4 cm (Length 24 7/16 in., width 8 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
Frank B. Bemis Fund
Accession Number1987.9
CollectionsMusical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Chordophones
DescriptionOne-piece back and ribs of maple. Ribs of one continuous piece. Two-piece belly of medium-to-wide spruce. No purfling. Back and belly overhang ribs. No notches in F-holes. Neck and scroll of maple. Large scroll with wide ears and steep undercutting. Tuning pegs of walnut (?). Fingerboard, tailpiece (later), nut, saddle, and end button of ebony. Yellow-brown varnish. Internal construction: Footed neck with incurved sides, resting against platforms carved from back and belly. No liners; back and belly grooved to receive ribs.
InscriptionsPrinted label: MANUFACTURED BY / PETER M. SLOCUM / [handwritten: NO 39 / 1834] / NEWPORT, R.I.
Provenance1987, sold by Harold Priest, Damariscotta, Maine, to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 21, 1987)
Introduzione & Polonaise, from Second Divertimento, Op. 20, about 1820–40
Composed by Joseph Ghys, arranged by T. Bucher
Performed by Joseph Ghys