Violin

NameViolin

MediumWood (pine), hide, gut

Dimensions19 × 5 1/4 × 1 in. (48.2601 × 13.335 × 2.54 cm)

Credit LineGift of the Historical Society of New Mexico

Object numberA5.1952.40

DescriptionSoundbox and handle cut from one piece with top cover like a lid, flat, of thin slab, no bulges. Handle also has thin slab lid on front, extending to keys but not over them. One key left, others lost, fragment of gut string left.

The handmade violin was treated in the conservation lab by conservator, Maureen Russell in 2019. Replacement parts were carved out of either pine or balsa wood in consultation with Swiss violin maker, Ernst_, former employee and now volunteer at the Museum of International Folk Art.
1. 3 of 4 replacement pegs were carved and slid into the holes of the peg box. Each carved peg attempts to replicate the color, size and shape of the one original peg remaining.
2. A hole is drilled into the center of each peg to accommodate the strings that are tied off at each hole.
3. A replacement bridge was carved and adhered in place with fish glue.
4. Four parallel notches were carved perpendicular into the top edge of the bridge to accommodate the sinew strings that run from the pegs down the neck and over the bridge through the holes in the tailpiece and tie off with the endpin.
5. All of the strings were missing and were replaced using string made of sinew.
6. The 3 of 4 missing curves of the 2 F-holes were recarved and adhered in place using fish glue.