Lot number 2749 - Auction 160
SELTENE POCHETTE (AUCH TANZMEISTERGEIGE)

RARE POCHETTE (ALSO KNOWN AS A DANCE MASTER'S VIOLIN) Likely Germany or France, 20th century. Narrow, violin-shaped miniature body with a two-piece maple back, spruce top, and brown varnish. Length 39 cm, body length 14 cm. Unlabeled. The pochette-also known as a dance master's violin-originated in the 16th century as a particularly compact form of the violin. Its narrow design allowed it to be conveniently carried in a coat or jacket pocket (French: *poche*), and it was used primarily by dance masters to provide musical accompaniment during lessons. Minor signs of wear. Provenance: Private collection, Hesse.