Lot number 2733 - Auction 155
SELTENE VIOLINE 'PHILOMELE' (AUCH STAHLGEIGE)

RARE VIOLIN 'PHILOMEL' (ALSO KNOWN AS "STEEL VIOLIN") Germany or Italy, late 19th century. One-piece spruce top and maple back, brown varnish, curved and triangular body with four star-shaped soundholes, with a steel string mounted at the end of the neck in place of a conventional bridge. Full-size violin, length 57.5 cm, body length 36.5 cm. Rare violin of the Philomele type, also known as a "steel violin", developed in the mid-19th century in the southern German-Italian region. Characteristic is the rounded, flowing body without corner blocks, with undulating shoulders reminiscent of viola da gamba forms, though executed in a more decorative and freer manner. The designation "steel violin" refers to the use of four steel strings with otherwise classical, fretless playing technique in violin tuning. The Philomele was particularly appreciated in bourgeois domestic music-making and regarded as an experimental instrument. Partially bumped and minimally damaged, strings missing. Literature:** Cf. *Philomele*, Museum of Musical Instruments, Leipzig University, inventory no. 3667. Provenance:** Private collection, North Rhine-Westphalia.