Object Details
Description
This hardanger fiddle was made by an unknown maker in Telemark, Norway, about 1890. It is made of a two-piece table of cedar, one-piece back of slab-cut birch with broad irregular figure descending to the left, ribs of plain birch, neck of plain birch is terminated in an ornamental pegbox and stylized carved dragon head, ink representation of decorative purfling, and transparent yellow varnish.
This instrument with four bowed and four sympathetic strings is generally in a very good state of preservation, with the original neck, tailpiece, pegs and interior body features intact. The fingerboard and tailpiece are decorated en suite with circular bone inlay forming diamond patterns.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Mary E. Maxwell
Date made
ca 1890
ID Number
MI.380456
catalog number
380456
accession number
153000
Object Name
hardanger fiddle
Physical Description
ink (decoration material)
bone (inlay material)
cedar (table material)
birch (back, ribs, neck material)
Measurements
overall: 23 1/2 in x 7 3/4 in x 3 7/8 in; 59.69 cm x 19.685 cm x 9.8425 cm
Place Made
Norway: Telemark
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
Music & Musical Instruments
Violins
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_605638