We are pleased to offer this fine viola crafted by violin maker David Christian Hopf for examination, trial and purchase.
Instrument Type: Viola
Year: 1762
Price: $15,000.00
Maker: David Christian Hopf
Dimensions: Back Length: 38.2 cm. (15 1/8”) Upper Bout: 17.3 cm. Middle Bout: 12.0 cm. Lower Bout: 21.4 cm. String Length: 35.4 cm.
The Viola
Compact and comfortable to play, this 1762 viola by David Christian Hopf has a back length of just 15 1/8 inches. Despite its smaller proportions, the instrument produces a pleasing, well-developed sound with more presence than its size might suggest.
The one-piece maple back displays faint, narrow flame, while the quarter-cut maple ribs show a more prominent narrow figure. The scroll is fashioned from plain maple. Its two-piece spruce top has narrow grain at the center that gradually widens toward the flanks. A warm honey-colored varnish over a golden ground completes the instrument.
The viola is in well-restored condition. The back, ribs, and scroll remain in excellent condition, while the top has been carefully and well restored.
The Maker
David Christian Hopf (1734–1803) was a German violin maker working in the Klingenthal region of Saxony and a member of the extensive Hopf family of instrument makers. He worked in Quittenbach, near Klingenthal, and was a member of the violin makers’ guild at nearby Markneukirchen. The Hopf family played an important role in the development of violin making in the Vogtland region, establishing a distinctive German tradition that continued through several generations of makers.
Terms of Sale
This fine viola is available for examination, trial and sale and has been meticulously set up to our exacting specifications before addition to our catalog. If you wish to inquire further about this viola, please contact us using the green button at the top of this listing or call 1-818-762-1374 during business hours.