English viola, Rope, 1920

This large viola hails from an English atelier and was built in approximately 1920. Its harmonious and serene aesthetic created opportunities for well-chosen artisanal accents, as is typical for the distinctively English style. It is not until you look a second time that you see how delicately yet confidently large the scroll has been crafted. A closer view of the beautiful orange-brown varnish reveals golden-coloured highlights, especially in the play of the interesting flaming along the one-piece maple back. In a similar fashion, the grain of the spruce is more moderate along the upper part of the top but becomes more and more distinctive towards the lower half. As is common in instruments of this viola's advanced age, repairs were made to the central joint and to a minor crack in the upper left of the top. Both areas were professionally restored and have no impact on the excellent sound of the instrument, which has been completely set up and is now ready to play. Its strikingly beautiful sound is large and warm, brilliantly balanced and features a rare depth.