Antonious & Hieronymus Amati Viola Cremona, 1628 “Queen Victoria” Artist: Toby Hoffman Description
The back is in two pieces of maple marked by a small curl slanting downwards to the right. The head marked by a curl of medium width, the sides by a similar but less pronounced curl. The table is of pine with even, fairly open grain, and the varnish of a rich golden brown color. This instrument was reduced in size, probably at the beginning of the 19th century, and has been enlarged again by W.E. Hill & Sons in the later half of the 20th century, and generally restored to its present excellent condition. This viola belonged to Queen Victoria, whose initials are branded on the back below the button, and used in her private band. It bears an inscription on the sides…”Ecce Agnus Dei” and “Giulia Maria B….(Bernardi),” the remains of a coat of arms on the back, and a representation of St. John the Baptist holding a lamb.
Measurements
Length: 42.3 cm
10
15