On View

Musical Crossroads Gallery

Museum Maps

Objects in this Location

Exhibition

Musical Crossroads

Created by

Homolka, Ferdinand August, Czech, 1828 - 1890

Owned by

Smock, Ginger, American, 1920 - 1995

Date

1849

Medium

2016.161.1.1 (violin): wood, metal, plastic;

2016.161.1.2 (bow): wood, horsehair, metal, leather, and mother of pearl;

2016.161.1.3 (bow): wood, horsehair, metal, and mother of pearl;

2016.161.1.4a-o (case and accesories): plastic, metal canvas, felt, rubber, wax

Dimensions

H x W x D (violin): 24 7/16 × 7 15/16 × 3 9/16 in. (62 × 20.2 × 9 cm)

H x W x D (bow): 29 3/16 × 1 3/16 × 1/2 in. (74.2 × 3 × 1.2 cm)

H x W x D (bow): 29 3/16 × 1 3/16 × 1/2 in. (74.2 × 3 × 1.2 cm)

H x W x D (case): 31 11/16 × 10 13/16 × 5 3/16 in. (80.5 × 27.5 × 13.1 cm)

H x W x D (case cover): 32 1/16 × 11 × 5 3/16 in. (81.5 × 28 × 13.1 cm)

H x W x D (satin bag): 25 3/16 × 9 7/16 × 1/16 in. (64 × 24 × 0.2 cm)

H x W (white cloth): 15 15/16 × 15 9/16 in. (40.5 × 39.5 cm)

H x W x D (black rest): 7 11/16 × 2 3/4 × 1 15/16 in. (19.5 × 7 × 5 cm)

H x W x D (key): 1 1/4 × 5/8 × 1/16 in. (3.2 × 1.6 × 0.1 cm)

H x W x D (key): 1 1/4 × 5/8 × 1/16 in. (3.2 × 1.6 × 0.1 cm)

H x W x D (green rest): 6 7/8 × 3 9/16 × 1 in. (17.5 × 9 × 2.5 cm)

H x W x D (screw driver): 3 1/8 × 9/16 × 9/16 in. (8 × 1.5 × 1.5 cm)

H x W x D (spare bridge ): 2 3/4 × 13/16 × 1/16 in. (7 × 2 × 0.1 cm)

H x W x D (metal hinge): 2 3/4 × 1 3/4 × 1 3/16 in. (7 × 4.5 × 3 cm)

H x W x D (metal hinge): 2 9/16 × 1 3/4 × 1 3/16 in. (6.5 × 4.5 × 3 cm)

Diameter (rubber ball): 2 5/8 in. (6.6 cm)

H x W x D (ball of wax in felt bag): 1 15/16 × 1 15/16 × 1 5/16 in. (5 × 5 × 3.4 cm)

H x W x D (ball of wax in felt bag): 2 1/2 × 3 1/8 × 13/16 in. (6.3 × 8 × 2 cm)

Description

A violin, two bows, case and accessories owned by Ginger Smock.

2016.161.1.1: A wood violin made of dark colored wood with metal strings. The violin’s pegs, neck and tailpiece are dark wood while the body of the violin is stained lighter. Above the pegs, the violin has a traditional scroll at its top. A light-colored wood bridge is located at the center of the violin body between the violin’s ribs. A metal bracket is attached to the tailpiece and metal tuners are at the top next to the strings. A plastic chin rest is attached to the bottom of the violin. There is a white label with black text inside the proper left sound hole that reads “Ferinandus Aug. Homolka / Fecit Prague 1849 / F. H.” Handwritten below the printed text is “5263.”

2016.161.1.2: A wood violin bow with a pearl inlay. The bow is a long, slightly curved, cylindrical rod. One end of the bow has a curved wooden tip, with a metal edge that attaches the horse hair. The opposite end of the bow has a black wood piece, known as the frog, attached to it with decorative pearl inlay in the shape of a circle on both sides. A leather pad covers the metal grip on the rod in front of the frog. A metal screw cap is at the end of the bow.

2016.161.1.3: A wood violin bow with a pearl inlay. The bow is a long, slightly curved, cylindrical rod. One end of the bow has a curved wooden tip, with a metal edge that attaches the horse hair. The opposite end of the bow has a black wood piece, known as the frog, attached to it with a small decorative pearl inlay in the shape of a circle on both sides. These inlays have another circle inlay around it. On the rod of the bow in front of the frog is a metal grip. A metal screw cap is at the end of the bow.

2016.161.1.4a-o: A tan plastic violin case with a removable canvas cover. The case has metal latches and hinges and has a plastic handle. The middle hinge in the back of the case is engraved with “MADE IN / GERMANY.” The case is lined with red felt. A sticker is adhered to the inside cover of the case where the bows are stored. The sticker is clear with an image of a rainbow and clouds on the left side and rainbow colored block lettering on the right side. Under the rainbow on the left side is “PRAISE / the / LORD.” The right side of the sticker says “JESUS.” A red satin violin cover and a white cloth are in the case. A black cloth chin rest with metal brackets is also in the case. Inside a closable tray in the top of the case are several accessories and tools. These include two keys, a rubber ball, two balls of wax like material wrapped in green felt, a spare bridge, a screw driver, a green chin rest and two parts of a metal hinge.

Place made

Prague, Czech Republic, Europe

Classification

Musical Instruments

Type

violins

Topic

Instrumentalists (Musicians)

Jazz (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lydia Samuel Bennett

Object number

2016.161.1.1-.4a-o

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd599afe57b-b9d4-4d2e-ab31-051c29f198a3