American Tooled Leather Oblong Double Fiddle Case, Possibly Gibson, c. 1920

Description:

American Tooled Leather Oblong Double Fiddle Case, Possibly Gibson, c. 1920, the leather exterior embossed with floral motif, the lid monogrammed P, the reverse depicting cowgirl and bucking bronco, the purple velvet interior, approximate length of back 370 mm, ht. 5 1/2, wd. 31, dp. 12 1/2 in.

Provenance: The collection of Dr. Glenn P. Wood.

Literature: "Development of Handmade Violin Cases in America during the 19th Century," Journal of the Violin Society of America Papers, Vol. XXIV, No. 2, 2014, p. 12, illustrated.

N.B. "This highly decorated American case shows the art of leather decoration which originated in Spain and came to America through Mexico and the Southwest, principally Texas and southern California. The art of leather decoration is still practised in America especially for the embellishment of boots and saddles.

It is believed this case belonged to Bob Pyron, a rancher and fiddle player in the Texas town that bears his name. The embossed P is consistent with that claim. The iconography depicts Annie Oakley who performed for years in the vaudeville circuit before joining Buffalo Bill's show in 1885.

The case bears a strong resemblance to those used by Gibson during the Lloyd Loar era for their Master Model instruments, including Loar's personal case to house his mando-viola, electric viola, musical saw, and bows."
G.P.W.
Estimate $400-600


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