How to Date a Violin
Dating a violin is an essential element of identifying not only the age of the instrument but the value as well. In most cases, dating a violin is a simple process that involves reading the label placed on the instrument by its maker. By learning to decipher this label, you can put a date to almost any violin of value.
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Instructions
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Locate the manufacturer's label on your violin. The label is usually made of paper and is glued to the back of the violin's body. You can see it by looking through the F-holes on the top of the violin's body. An older label can be difficult to read. Make sure you're in a well-lit room. Having a flashlight on hand is also a good idea.
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Read the various elements of the label. Look for any of these words: "faciebat," "fecit," "me fecit" or "fece." These words can be translated to mean "made by." This will tell you who made the instrument, which can help give some indication of the date.
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Look for the word "anno," which can be translated to mean "in the year of." Not all violins will have this, especially newer models and copies of classic violins. If you see the term "anno," the date following it is the year the violin was made. If this word is on the label of your violin, there's a good chance you have a violin worth some money or of some quality.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have a violin with no label and cannot find a date inscribed, take it to an authorized music appraiser to have it looked at. An expert violin appraiser can often identify and date a violin for you.
References
- Photo Credit full violin image by Sergey Goruppa from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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This article is nonsense....sorry. Labels, especially seemingly old ones only tell us about the label, not the violin. This is why so many people on the net think they may own a Stradivarius...and obviously they don't. Sticking a Ferrari badge on my Ford Fiesta doesn't make it a Ferrari!
