advanced violin restoration techniques - International Specialised ...

International
Context
Coming from such a geographically isolated country as Australia, Daly found the experience
of being with so many fellow enthusiasts particularly stimulating. Daly recommends this
course to anyone able to make the journey.
Ashmolean Museum in Oxford
The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford was visited in order to view and photograph violins
from the Hill’s collection of musical instruments. Violins in this collection include those by
Stradivari, da Salo, Amati, and Stainer. These instruments are all in excellent condition and
provide a valuable record of how historically important instruments can be restored and
maintained.
While the ‘Messiah’ Strad is not brought out of it’s glass cabinet, it is in an absolutely
original and untouched state and is therefore particularly useful in noting the qualities of
classic Italian varnishes and workmanship. Many of the other instruments may be viewed
individually in the map room whilst wearing cotton gloves. One of the most enchanting of
these was the small violin pictured below made by Antonius and Heironymous Amati, in
Cremona 1618.
Some views of a small violin by Antonius and Heironymous Amati, Cremona 1618
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