Violin, the 'Alard'

The two-piece back and ribs are made from finely patterned maple, coloured nut brown. The ribs at the base are made of one continuous strip of wood. The f-holes are cut narrow towards the ends, with broad wings and small upper eyes. The neck is original, although it has been lengthened, and old nail holes have been exposed where the thickness of the heel has been reduced. In the late nineteenth century, this violin belonged to the violinist Delphin Alard, who also owned ‘The Messiah’ (WA1940.112).