History etched into the back of this violin
Every violin has a story- even the new ones I build have the story of their construction (I record my process and provide a photo book for every instrument I build). When we look at older violins, there are often hints of what they have been through (wear patterns, scratches, even cigarette burns). Sometimes there is documentation that can help fill out the history of the instrument, and sometimes there are stories passed down through families. This violin was very special in that scratched in the back isn’t initials, but a the members of an army unit and where they served. In the most common cases of deliberate scratches to a violin, this can devalue the instrument, and take away from its beauty. This is an incredible exception. It places the instrument in history and provides a powerful family heirloom.
I had the privilege of restoring this violin, which is being kept in the family, so it can now sing again. As you can see from the photo of the top and the back, the back was kept much cleaner and looks as fresh as the day it was carved into! The front was where most of the restoration work was required….
