An early American fiddle with carved lion head

Circa 1850

With a carved lion head scroll, wooden tuning pegs, and an oval applique of an eagle with the American flag (13 stars) to verso; inscribed on backboard: "Miss Sarah Myers, HER fiddle, [illegible]."

L: 23 1/2, W: 8 in.(L: 59.69, W: 20.32 cm.)

Private collection, Virginia.

Missing its bridge, tailpiece, fine tuners, and strings. Wear to surface, particularly around edges, attempted repair to one area of edge; the rib at the base of the fiddle has a crack and the wood is partially sprung, join between rib and back and front are also partially sprung at the middle bouts.

Click here for high resolution images.