Authentication of a Stradivarius “Petite Violin” Type from 1723

Abstract

By correlating the structural–functional dimensional data with a series of archaeometric and chemometric characteristics determined by dendrochronological analysis and by three instrumental techniques (Scanning Electronic Microscopy, coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray, µ-FTIR Spectroscopy and Thermal Analysis in Dynamic Mode), a Stradivarius violin was authenticated as having been made by one of the two Stradivari sons (Francesco or Omobono) in 1723. It should be noted that the “petite” type violin, which comes from a private collection and was recently purchased on the open market, has the original label and is in a poor preservation state. There is only one revarnishing intervention on the violin, and it is older than 80 years. There have been several attempts at sampling (all of which are under 30 years old) for the wooden support and varnish (from the top cover of the resonance box), but the existence of some analysis results is unknown. The dimensional characteristics of the structural–functional components place the violin in “petite violins”, and it is one of the more than 40 still preserved as an authentic artifact.

Keywords

• petite violins
• Cremona
• deep damage and decay
• lack of structural components
• SEM–EDX
• µ-FTIR