Unknown - 4/4 - - Violin - Unknown

1. Introduction
A characterful antique violin distinguished by a beautifully hand-carved lion's-head scroll in place of the traditional volute. This is a decorative Saxon-Bohemian instrument in the tradition of the great Central-European workshop centres, a full-size (4/4) violin offered in honest playing condition. Its warm reddish-brown varnish, finely figured maple back and striking rope-pattern purfling give it a presence well beyond that of an ordinary trade violin, making it as appealing to the collector as to the player.

2. Historical and Artistic Context
From the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the workshops of Saxony and Bohemia - centred on Markneukirchen, Klingenthal and Schoenbach - produced violins in great numbers for players and dealers across Europe. Among these, a small proportion were given decorative touches that set them apart: elaborately braided purfling and, most prized of all, a carved animal or lion's head in place of the scroll. Such lion-head violins were the work of skilled hands and were made to catch the eye as much as to be played. This instrument belongs firmly to that decorative tradition.

3. Craftsmanship and Materials
The two-piece back is cut from maple with an attractive medium flame that shimmers under the varnish, matched by maple ribs and a spruce top of even grain. The edges are finished throughout with a decorative rope- or braid-pattern purfling that frames both the top and the back. The crowning feature is the scroll, carved by hand into an expressive lion's head with a full mane and detailed features. The instrument is fitted with ebony fittings, including an ebony fingerboard and a tailpiece with four integrated fine tuners for easy tuning.

4. Tonal Character and Playability
The violin is strung and set up with a fitted bridge and is offered in playing condition. It produces the warm, direct tone typical of well-seasoned Central-European instruments, responsive under the bow and suited to folk, orchestral and general playing alike. The four fine tuners make precise tuning straightforward for players at every level.

5. Condition
In good, honest antique condition consistent with its age, showing light surface wear and playing marks to the varnish that speak to a long life of use. No maker's label is present, in keeping with the anonymous workshop origin of decorative instruments of this type. A full professional set-up and a fresh set of strings are recommended before serious playing. There is one open crack near the f-hole and a surface scratch under the fingerboard, this is not a crack.

6. Details
Type: full-size (4/4) violin, decorative Saxon-Bohemian school. Scroll: hand-carved lion's head. Back: two-piece flamed maple. Top: spruce. Purfling: decorative rope/braid pattern. Fittings: ebony, with a four fine-tuner tailpiece. Period: late 19th - early 20th century (circa 1900). Maker: unattributed workshop instrument.

7.
The instrument comes with a new uncut bridge, new strings, a new uncut soundpost and a case.
Bridge and soundpost can be made to fit.