Simbertus Niggel 1762

FULL DESCRIPTION

This stunning German masterpiece, crafted by Simbertus Niggel around 1762,

is a testament to the brilliance of german violin-making tradition. This instrument

exemplifies the excellence found in Berlin best works and represents a significant   

chapter in the history of violin craftsmanship. The strong character craftsmanship

notable in its decisive arching, the edges, fluting, and purfling, along with the oval

diagonal inclined scroll design, highlight the high quality and expressiveness of

the finest and most cherished maker of the Niggel Family.

The exquisite Golden varnish, of exceptional transparency and luminosity, enhances

the natural beauty of the wood, creating a unique aesthetic that harmonizes with

the instrument's organic qualities and even translates visually the aggressiveness and power of its sound. The violin's sound is as strong and classy as its visual appeal. This instrument is in a fine state of preservation. With little intervention in it over the years, the violin portrays one of the few classic German Varnish styles found in the antique masterpieces, most probably used during the periods of humid winter in the north of Berlin due to its higher density resins recipe and higher stability to the cold. Much of the original varnish still adorns the instrument, giving its golden ground color life. Like most of Simbertus Niggel s instruments, this exceptional violin was originally purfled at the back plate, and the back of the scroll was not carved later by a third-party intervention, as often happened to instruments of the later generations of the family. This not only indicates the higher level of skills applied to crafting this violin but also the care and enthusiasm the maker himself had for this instrument in particular. The top is made of two pieces of Italian spruce with fine to medium regular grain across the mirrored plates. The back is made of one piece slightly-flamed pattern maple with gorgeous and deep luminosity and the ribs and head. The varnish is of golden color, which later became the most used amongst the following generation of the family.

DIMENSIONS

Back Length  355 mm

Upper Bout  165 mm

Center Bout  117 mm

Lower Bout   202 mm

String Length 326 mm