Early London Instruments – Commentary

Vincenzo Panormo Viola, Early London

1. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola

Almost identical to an early viola [see section: London c. 1772–c. 1779] bearing a manuscript label dated ‘Londini 1774’ this must be one of the very earliest surviving examples of Vincenzo’s work and would have been made during his first period in London before leaving for Paris in 1779. The model is typically Amati inspired and it is branded PANORMO under the button on the back, the top block and inside one of the C-bout ribs. The dendrochronology report states that the latest ring on the outside edge of the lower treble side of the one-piece front is dated 1767. It gives a fairly generic Alpine response, unlike the wood used in Paris at the time. As is typical of Vincenzo’s early work, it has large, slightly oval pins, placed well inside the purfling, as does the 1774 viola.

1. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
1. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
1. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
1. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
1. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
1. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
1. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
1. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
1. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
1. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
1. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
1. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London

2. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola

Early London • Tarisio ID 76652

This viola closely resembles the previous instrument, with the same bout measurements but a slightly shorter back length. It also shares the same slightly short, delicate corners and typical flattish curve on the upper pegbox, culminating in a narrow throat where the remains of a saw cut can sometimes be seen. The blocks and linings are of spruce, which appears fairly typical for these early instruments. Vincenzo was obviously not concerned with positioning his location pins in the same place every time and although they are often placed centrally on one-piece backs, this is not the case here. Although proving impossible to date, the spruce used for the front is cut from the same tree as the violin no. 3.

– Andrew Fairfax

2. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
2. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
2. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
2. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
2. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
2. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
2. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
2. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
2. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London
2. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola, Early London

1. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola

2. VINCENZO PANORMO Viola

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