7-STRING VIOL BASED ON AN ANONYMOUS, SOUTH GERMAN MODEL, ca 1700

Built by Ian Watchorn, Canberra, 1981, a copy of an instrument formerly owned by Cecile Dolmetsch and Prof. Donald Peart,

now in the Power House Museum, Sydney.

The original of this instrument is now in the collection at the Power House Museum along with other instruments from the collection of the founding professor of music at Sydney University, Donald Peart. The original is unlabelled and of South German origin, late 17th century. It was found in Germany by Marco Pallis and restored by Arnold Dolmetsch for Cecile. Prof. Peart acquired the instrument from the Dolmetsch family and brought it to Sydney with him when he took up the music chair at Sydney University. I drew the original in the late 1970's and made this copy with a 7-string set-up in 1981.

It is in excellent condition and has a very good tone, with plenty of body volume to carry the 7th string and resonate well. The head is based on the work of Jacob Stainer and, though unlabelled, the body resembles the work of the Munich makers, Paulus Alletsee and his pupil, Josef Paul Christa.

The viol is sold with a fitted hard case.

Price: $AUS 9500.00