Violin. Maker: Giovanni Battista Ruggieri (b.1653-d.1711), Cremona circa 1706. Eldest son of violin maker Francesco Ruggieri. A violin bearing a reproduction label: "Gio. Battista Rugieri detto il per/In Cremona 1706". One-piece back of wood cut on the slab of medium curl, the sides on the quarter of medium curl, the head plain. The table of pine of fine grain at the centre, opening out slightly towards the flanks. Light brown varnish. Length of back: 355mm, overall length: 590mm, overall width: 185mm, overall depth (inclusive of height of bridge): 98mm. Documentation in Musical Instrument Department (ring binder): copy of Hill certificate (which according to the executor of his estate, Mr P.W. Giles was probably made by Alfred F. G. H. Hird) dated 6th October 1950. This certificate states that the instrument was numbered s.347 on the books of W.E. Hill & Sons, and has been somewhat restored". Copy of a letter from J. & A. Beare (David Murdoch) dated 30 June 1992 to J. Yorke of the Victoria & Albert Museum Furniture Department (the property of the late A.F.G. Hird was originally willed to the British Museum or the V&A). The author makes the following statement: 'Violin labeled G.B. Rugeri" i.e. possibly not by the maker "This instrument has seen a large amount of repair, indeed, it has probably been totally re-varnished".
