Object Details
Created by
Ferdinand August Homolka, Czech, 1828 - 1890
Owned by
Ginger Smock, American, 1920 - 1995
Description
A violin, two bows, case and accessories owned by Ginger Smock.
2016.161.1.1: A wood violin made of dark colored wood with metal strings. The violin’s pegs, neck and tailpiece are dark wood while the body of the violin is stained lighter. Above the pegs, the violin has a traditional scroll at its top. A light-colored wood bridge is located at the center of the violin body between the violin’s ribs. A metal bracket is attached to the tailpiece and metal tuners are at the top next to the strings. A plastic chin rest is attached to the bottom of the violin. There is a white label with black text inside the proper left sound hole that reads “Ferinandus Aug. Homolka / Fecit Prague 1849 / F. H.” Handwritten below the printed text is “5263.”
2016.161.1.2: A wood violin bow with a pearl inlay. The bow is a long, slightly curved, cylindrical rod. One end of the bow has a curved wooden tip, with a metal edge that attaches the horse hair. The opposite end of the bow has a black wood piece, known as the frog, attached to it with decorative pearl inlay in the shape of a circle on both sides. A leather pad covers the metal grip on the rod in front of the frog. A metal screw cap is at the end of the bow.
2016.161.1.3: A wood violin bow with a pearl inlay. The bow is a long, slightly curved, cylindrical rod. One end of the bow has a curved wooden tip, with a metal edge that attaches the horse hair. The opposite end of the bow has a black wood piece, known as the frog, attached to it with a small decorative pearl inlay in the shape of a circle on both sides. These inlays have another circle inlay around it. On the rod of the bow in front of the frog is a metal grip. A metal screw cap is at the end of the bow.
2016.161.1.4a-o: A tan plastic violin case with a removable canvas cover. The case has metal latches and hinges and has a plastic handle. The middle hinge in the back of the case is engraved with “MADE IN / GERMANY.” The case is lined with red felt. A sticker is adhered to the inside cover of the case where the bows are stored. The sticker is clear with an image of a rainbow and clouds on the left side and rainbow colored block lettering on the right side. Under the rainbow on the left side is “PRAISE / the / LORD.” The right side of the sticker says “JESUS.” A red satin violin cover and a white cloth are in the case. A black cloth chin rest with metal brackets is also in the case. Inside a closable tray in the top of the case are several accessories and tools. These include two keys, a rubber ball, two balls of wax like material wrapped in green felt, a spare bridge, a screw driver, a green chin rest and two parts of a metal hinge.
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lydia Samuel Bennett
Date
1849
Object number
2016.161.1.1-.4a-o
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
violins
Medium
2016.161.1.1 (violin): wood, metal, plastic;
2016.161.1.2 (bow): wood, horsehair, metal, leather, and mother of pearl;
2016.161.1.3 (bow): wood, horsehair, metal, and mother of pearl;
2016.161.1.4a-o (case and accesories): plastic, metal canvas, felt, rubber, wax
Dimensions
H x W x D (violin): 24 7/16 × 7 15/16 × 3 9/16 in. (62 × 20.2 × 9 cm)
H x W x D (bow): 29 3/16 × 1 3/16 × 1/2 in. (74.2 × 3 × 1.2 cm)
H x W x D (bow): 29 3/16 × 1 3/16 × 1/2 in. (74.2 × 3 × 1.2 cm)
H x W x D (case): 31 11/16 × 10 13/16 × 5 3/16 in. (80.5 × 27.5 × 13.1 cm)
H x W x D (case cover): 32 1/16 × 11 × 5 3/16 in. (81.5 × 28 × 13.1 cm)
H x W x D (satin bag): 25 3/16 × 9 7/16 × 1/16 in. (64 × 24 × 0.2 cm)
H x W (white cloth): 15 15/16 × 15 9/16 in. (40.5 × 39.5 cm)
H x W x D (black rest): 7 11/16 × 2 3/4 × 1 15/16 in. (19.5 × 7 × 5 cm)
H x W x D (key): 1 1/4 × 5/8 × 1/16 in. (3.2 × 1.6 × 0.1 cm)
H x W x D (key): 1 1/4 × 5/8 × 1/16 in. (3.2 × 1.6 × 0.1 cm)
H x W x D (green rest): 6 7/8 × 3 9/16 × 1 in. (17.5 × 9 × 2.5 cm)
H x W x D (screw driver): 3 1/8 × 9/16 × 9/16 in. (8 × 1.5 × 1.5 cm)
H x W x D (spare bridge ): 2 3/4 × 13/16 × 1/16 in. (7 × 2 × 0.1 cm)
H x W x D (metal hinge): 2 3/4 × 1 3/4 × 1 3/16 in. (7 × 4.5 × 3 cm)
H x W x D (metal hinge): 2 9/16 × 1 3/4 × 1 3/16 in. (6.5 × 4.5 × 3 cm)
Diameter (rubber ball): 2 5/8 in. (6.6 cm)
H x W x D (ball of wax in felt bag): 1 15/16 × 1 15/16 × 1 5/16 in. (5 × 5 × 3.4 cm)
H x W x D (ball of wax in felt bag): 2 1/2 × 3 1/8 × 13/16 in. (6.3 × 8 × 2 cm)
Place made
Prague, Czech Republic, Europe
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Musical Instruments
Exhibition
Musical Crossroads
On View
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Instrumentalists (Musicians)
Jazz (Music)
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2016.161.1.1-.4a-o