Unusual violas

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Violin Home page

Unusual violas, cellos, viols, gamba

		A rare cither viol by Thomas Perry of Dublin 1767. 10 strings, 5 courses of 2. A bowed version of the cittern. One of the first instruments to have machine tuners. Only six known examples survive.

An early 19th century French viola by Francois Chanot. Very distinctive by the reversed scroll, guitar outline with ebony and ivory edging instead of purfling as has the slit sound holes. Sadly the original glued on tail piece has been replaced on this one.

	A 19th century guitar shaped viola by Carl Padewet, Munchen. A deep bodied instrument, well made with a powerful tone. A gold medal winner at the time.					A strange flat back viola . The table is made from think laminates of maple carved with high arches. Later 5th string added and the scroll cut down to a small carved head. Probably circa 1900.

	A late 19th century viola d'amore. With the traditional blindfolded carved head finial. 7 melody strings 7 sympathtic running under the finger board. Probably German made.

	An early 20th century one string viola-viol. Purpose made (many were conversions)				An early 19th century bass viola. See Metal violins page			A scarce Stroh viola circa 1910. See Stroviols page

	An early 20th century 8 string viola d'amore by Thibouville -Lamy, Paris. Has a strange mounting of the bridge on a raised section of the table.

	A French tenor violin stamped Cabasse (inside) Early 19th century. Strung an octave below a violin GDAE.				An interesting 4 string viol of circa 1700. Awaiting restoration.

	Viola " Pomposa". A wide unusual viola probably circa 1820s. Of cello small proportions. Probably of German origins.

	An arch bass viol da gamba 18th century. With later fittings.					A quinton-viol. 5 strings of 16th century style but probably early 19th century. With later tuners and modified finial.


A very strange viola. A short baroque neck with wedge finger board formed as one unit with the tail piece. Inside a secondary table inserted, the sound post cut through to the back. The viola seems to be of 18th century origins. The "eccentrics" perhaps a later 19th century modification.

	A rare collapsible practice travelling frame cello stamped Adele Clement. Bte. 111. Late 19th century.						An early 19th century cello of guitar outline, and with a carved head finial. With a 30 inch back it has a wonderful tone.


An unusual and interesting quinton circa 1700. Looks have been modified from a six string viol.