Made Joseph Williams Ltd Greater London, England, United Kingdom, Europe 1900-1970 1900 1970
Object No. 2005/61/2
One of the strengths of the Powerhouse Museum's musical instrument collection is its violin collection of both European and Australian made instruments. The collection also contains several unusual examples of violin design that contrast significantly from the usual violin form. These include a quartet of instruments in Australian timbers known as the Alma V quartet by Australian maker Graham Caldersmith, a walking stick violin, a trapezoid violin by John Anderson after the Savart type and a mute violin. The violinda also fits into this category having a guitar shaped body with ribs only at the top and bottom block areas. The contoured belly slopes down at the sides to make contact with a completely flat back. A trapezoidal headstock also differs by using four tuners with a slotted mechanism similar to that used on Portuguese guitars. The f-holes are also different to the standard design being narrower and pointed at each end. All these features contribute in making the violinda an interesting departure from traditional violin design. Michael Lea Curator, music & musical instruments December 2004.
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Summary
Object Statement
Violin and label, 'Violinda', timber / plastic / metal, maker unknown / John Williams Ltd, Czechoslovakia / London, England, 1900-1970
Physical Description
Violinda violin and label, timber / plastic / metal, maker unknown, Czechoslovakia, 1900-1970 Violinda violin with guitar shaped body and arched belly probably of pine. There are green dots on the side of the neck for finger positions and narrow ribs at the top and bottom and the flat back is painted black. The belly tapers at the sides and is attached directly to the back. The trapezoid shaped head has four tuners at the top of the headstock that operate vertical tuning levers. The narrow f-holes have sharply pointed ends. There is a violin fingerboard, bridge and tailpiece and no chinrest. There is a separate dealer's label.
PRODUCTION
Notes
Violinda violin production unknown but appears to be several varieties based on the same basic design. According to a label on the violin it was made in Czechoslovakia. The maker of the label is unknown.
HISTORY
Notes
Displayed by Roger Buckmaster in the window of his Melbourne violin making and repair business as an unusual design of violin.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Roger Buckmaster, 2005
Acquisition Date
15 February 2005
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