Antique "Head Fiddle" Violin after Derazey and Duiffopruggar
Item Details
An antique ‘head fiddle’ violin, in the style of Honoré Derazey and Gaspard Duiffopruggar. This violin features a pegbox carved to resemble the head of a bearded man; raised fleur-de-lis adorn the corners of the spruce top, while the maple back features a raised design of a woman with three children, as well as an inlaid design of a Renaissance city with courtly lovers, rendered in the natural hues of multicolored woods. Its ribs are painted with a Latin inscription in black letters, which references the verse: ‘Viva fui in sylvis; sum durâ occisa securi: /dum vixi tacui, mortua dulce cano;’ or, ‘Alive I was in the forest; by hard axe was I felled: /whilst living I was silent, now dead I sweetly sing.’ Also included is a half-lined bow, case, and vintage paperwork from the Hunleth Music Company of Saint Louis dating to 1940; it is unclear if the paperwork relates to the same violin.
Condition
- case hinges are no longer attached; significant wear and redrot to case; violin worn; bow without hair; untested.
Dimensions
- measured in case
Item #
18DCC043-111-001
