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Four-string bowed string instrument of pardessus de viole/quinton type
Thompson & Sons, c. 1762 - c. 1764
Four-string bowed string instrument, probably intended to be played on the lap. Its form is related to that of treble viols, pardessus de viole and quintons, although its original four-string configuration does not correspond precisely to any of these types. The neck, bass bar and fittings are original. The paper label reads: ‘Made by / Thompson & Sons / at the Violin and C.. / the West end of / St. Pauls Church Yard / LONDON’. The label refers to the Thompson family firm, a London-based musical-instrument dealing and music-publishing business that also marketed instruments made for the firm, founded by Peter Thompson and subsequently continued by his widow Ann and their sons Charles and Samuel. The name “Thompson & Sons” was used by the firm in the early 1760s. The label does not necessarily identify the individual maker of the instrument.
- Artwork typebowed instrument, violin, musical instrument, stringed instrument, quinton
- Object numberBK-2022-147
- Dimensionsheight 64.5 cm x width 22.9 cm x depth 11.5 cm