Violin, carved sycamore (maple) back with royal arms, attributed to Ralph Agutter, English, 1680-85

With finial of a carved woman's head, the back carved with scroll work and the royal shield of Great Britain and Ireland, with supporters.

The belly an early replacement (perhaps c.1700-20) of two pieces of pine, with un-nicked f-holes and simulated purfling (double stringing) in black paint. The back is one piece of maple (sycamore) carved with spiralling scroll-work in low relief, and two sections carved in deep relief: at the top the arms of England as borne by the Stuart monarchs from 1603 to 1688, and near the lower end a crouching or dancing figure tuning a lute. The neck, attached from inside the body by an iron nail, is set almost in line with the edges of the belly and has been slightly lengthened by a packing piece at the root, probably c.1700-20. The pegbox has slightly carved sides. The finial is in the form of a woman's head with laurel crown. Ebony tailpiece with scrolls carved in relief, and ebony fingerboard of less than modern length laid directly upon the neck without packing wedge. No label visible.

Bought from Miss E. Loveday Walker for £15, at which time it was said to have belonged to King James I. Art Referee report by Matthew Digby Wyatt, no. 22903 (27/6/1868) who noted 'As the Department has now formed a really good collection of ornamental musical instruments, but is deficient in violins exhibiting any attempts to combine art with sonority I should recommend this purchase at a lower price' [than the £26. 5s being asked].

Exhibited in gallery 40a from before 1989 to 2010
Exhibited 2009 in the V&A exhibition Baroque, 1620 - 1800. Style in the Age of Magnificence
Lent on short loans 2012 and 2013

Conserved 2021: the bridges, pegs and strings replaced by Benjamin Hebbert

This instrument has been attributed to Ralph Agutter, a London maker, who was active during the 1680s. The neck and pegbox of this instrument are very similar to two labelled Agutter violins in private collections, one of which has an ornately carved back.

This violin would have been made for the Royal Household either late in the reign of Charles II (r. 1660-1685) or during the reign of James II (r. 1685-1688). The ornate carving on the back would have been highly fashionable at about this time, and it includes the Royal Stuart coat of arms before the royal arms were modified at the time of the accession of William III and Queen Mary in 1688.

This instrument has been attributed to Ralph Agutter, a London maker, who was active at this time. The neck and pegbox are very similar to those belonging to two Agutter violins in private collections, one of which is also carved on the back.

34-1869