Unlabelled - 3/4 - - 小提琴 - 1950

Overview

An antique 3/4 violin of French workshop origin. A characterful smaller-size instrument with a warm, aged appearance — suited to an advancing young player or as a 3/4 collector's piece. Sold unattributed.

Construction & woods

The two-piece spruce top shows a broad, fairly even grain that widens towards the flanks. The fittings are ebony. The corners are short and rounded and the f-holes are comparatively long and upright — features typical of French trade work. The arching is medium.

Varnish & condition

Antiqued orange-brown varnish with genuine age character: honest wear is visible along the edges and across the lower bout where the varnish has thinned to the ground, giving a warm, played-in look. No open cracks are visible on the top. The overall impression is of a sound, used antique violin rather than a restored showpiece.

Fittings & setup

Ebony fingerboard and tailpiece, with a side-mounted ebony chinrest. The pegs are mixed — three dark ebony pegs and one lighter boxwood-coloured peg. A maple bridge is fitted and the violin is strung, with a parchment protector at the E-string. The instrument appears play-ready; the final adjustment (bridge position, needs a new soundpost (currently not fitted). The instrument needs new strings.