A Small Viola From Johann Traugott Glass, Dating To The 1870’s. 15 1/4.”

Johann Traugott Glass (1819-1895) is considered the most successful practitioner of lutherie and instrument making from the Glass family, producing numerous well voiced instruments of commercial quality with commendable workmanship, ranging from workshop models branded “Glass” to the back, to more artistic interpretations of Stainer and Hopf, with a personal model he referred to as “Glassgeigen.” He worked quickly and efficiently, often in the traditional Klingenthal fashion of building on the back popularized by the Hopf family. Having said that, many are fully lined and properly blocked.

This small viola presents in generally well preserved condition - without any damage other than a small repaired ascending saddle crack on the bass side but otherwise demonstrating wear and patination consistent with its age. Whereas many members of the trade would shy away from violins with such exaggerated arching, commonly relegating them to the ‘fiddle’ category in a tactfully dismissive manner, I was absolutely delighted to acquire this less common Johann Traugott Glass viola. The arching provides significantly more resonating airspace to the box, lending the instrument a surprisingly deep and richly sonorous voice, altogether belying its back length of only 387mm or 15 1/4.” A very characteristic but better than typical example of this workshop with a delightfully charming scroll - now available for audition and trial.

Detailed Measurements:

LOB: 387 mm.

String Length: 351 mm.

UB: 182 mm.

LB: 225 mmm