Violoncello

This violoncello was made by William Forster of London, in 1792. The back is a jointed one of wood marked by a handsome medium curl, the sides matching: the head is made of a very small curl and the varnish is made of a very fine red-brown colour. Inside the cello, throught one of the f-holes, a label can be seen. It bears: William Forster, Violin, Violoncello, Tenor and Bow Maker/ for Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cumberland. A good and well preserved example of the maker's work. The cello is conserved in a dark wooden case, lined in the interior with purple wool. On top of the case there are two labels, one bearing FRAGILE, and the other, a shipping label, bearing Valuable Instrument/ Gold Medal Paris Universal Exhibition 1889, Gold Medal Inventors Exhibition 1883, Sole Gold Medal Society of Arts 1885. This cello is part of a collection of three stringed musical instruments by the Forster of Carlisle and London, purchased by Miss S.H. Mounsey-Heysham from W.E. Hill & Sons , New Bond Street, London.