This is the most recent instrument to be made in our workshop. It is a copy of the very instrument that experts believe inspired Bach to write some of his works for the viola d’amore.  Traditionally violins are made with a pine front with maple back, ribs and scroll whereas this instrument’s back, ribs, neck and scroll are made from ebony. The early viola d’amore that Bach knew would have been considerably different from the instruments played today as the originals did not have sympathetic strings. These did not become common until the late 18th century.

When we restored the original instrument, under the dirt we found the inscription ‘viol d’amor’. This adds to the historical importance of this particular instrument as it proves that violin sized instruments without sympathetic strings were actually called and used as viola d’amor. The original purfling although now lost, was detected by use of a spectroscope as being made from twisted silver wire.