Page 37 - The Strad (February 2020)
P. 37
VUILLAUME’S EARLY YEARS
The varnish of
number 8 is redder
and more brilliant
than that of
number 2
of the rst printed label, presumably in 1828. Inside, the violin is
signed and dated in pencil – a detail that would soon disappear
THE HEAD IS MORE
in favour of an imposing signature, in ink, on the upper parts of
the top and back. e varnish is a beautiful golden yellow, quite ‘ACADEMIC’: THE MOVEMENT
subtle rather than brilliant.
IN THE CARVING OF THE
iolin number 8 was also made in 1823 and is another TURNS IS LESS MARKED
based on a Stradivari model, with a back length of
based on a Stradivari model, with a back length of
359mm. As with number 2, both top and back plates
V 359mm. As with number 2, both top and back plates
movement in the carving of the turns is less marked.
are in one piece. Again, the varnish is rather plain. In
are in one piece. Again, the varnish is rather plain. In m o v e m e n t i n t h e c a r v i n g o f t h e t u r n s i s l e s s m a r k e d .
general conception this violin is very close to number 2, e carving of each turn and the scroll back is quite
general conception this violin is very close to number 2,
but there are some important changes: the yellow–gold
but there are some important changes: the yellow–gold shallow, giving a rather soft appearance to the volute.
varnish has given way to a leaner, more brilliant kind e total length of the scroll and pegbox is
e total length of the scroll and pegbox is
with a deep red colour. e puring is still 106mm, in common with all the Vuillaume
made of ebony and maple, but the crow’s instruments from this period that I have
beaks have gone. e archings are very seen so far. It’s quite strange to have such
similar to those of the earlier violin, but a universal measurement for the head:
with slightly more pronounced channelling. always 106mm. It’s hard to be more regular!
Overall, the work is very neat. Inside, the blocks and linings are still
Compared with number 2, the head is made from the same very dense spruce,
more ‘academic’ – which is to say, the but the linings are now embedded in the
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