Images from The Cutler Gallery

The unusual design of Stelzner System instruments was patented in 1891 by Dr. Alfred Stelzner (29 November 1852-14 July 1906) of Wiesbaden (German patent, class 51, number 69012; U.S. patent 492,948, March 7, 1893), based on the premise that an outline designed with parabolic and elliptical geometry would sound better than one designed with traditional, circle-based violin geometry. Consequently, the ribs are tapered in such a way as to be higher at the center, so that the upper rib edge forms a parabola. The top and bottom blocks are triangular with concave, parabolic sides. The f-holes are also non-standard, with leaf-shaped cutouts instead of the traditionally round or oval eyes. This increased the lengths of the soundhole wings and therefore their freedom to vibrate, which Stelzner believed was important for sound production. Stelzner’s design was applied to the violin, viola, violoncello, and double bass, as well as to two new instruments that he added to the family: the violotta (tuned an octave lower than the violin), and the cellone (tuned two octaves below the violin; or a fourth lower than the violoncello).

Note: Click on any image on this page to see an enlargement.

NMM 14353. Viola made in Richard Weichold/August Paulus workshop, Dresden, April 1893. Stelzner System. Serial no. 101. Gift of James Christensen, North Liberty, Iowa, 2008.

Written in black ink on paper label, partially torn and effaced:  [N^o 101.] Dresden, April 93 / [D]r. Alfred Stelzner.

Branded on inside of back above label, the first line of text curved downward at each end:  NACH D^r ALFRED STELZNER’S / — · — / SYSTEM

Branded on inside of back near soundpost, visible through treble f-hole: PATENTIERT

Branded on lower rib near endpin, under varnish: N^o [to bass side of endpin] / 1 0 1 [to treble side of endpin, each number branded with separate die]

Head and neck:  maple: medium curl; deep scroll chamfers; pegbox with shoulders. Fingerboard:  ebony; beveled at C-string position. Nut:  ebony. Pegs:  four varnished ebony.

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Views of Neck Heel

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Front, Back, Side, and Lower End of Body

Description

Top:  two-piece, quarter-cut spruce: medium grain. Back:  two-piece, quarter-cut maple: broad curl descending from center joint. Ribs:  quarter-cut maple: medium-to-broad curl angled to right on bass side, angled to left on treble side; rib corners chamfered; lower ribs divided by purfling strip. Edging:  scooped very close to edge, forming ridge. Varnish:  medium red-brown; faint craquelure. Tailpiece:  ebony; fluted face with scalloped lower edge; molded saddle carved rather than inlaid. Tailgut:  black plastic. Saddle:  ebony. Endpin:  ebony. Linings:  light-colored hardwood; wide; extend over corner blocks. Corner blocks:  light-colored hardwood. Top block:  spruce; triangular with concave sides. Bottom block:  spruce; triangular with concave sides.

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Soundholes

F-holes:  narrow; leaf-shaped eyes; rounded wings.

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Corners on Front

Upper bass corner	Upper treble corner	Lower bass corner	Lower treble corner

Upper treble corner	Upper bass corner	Lower treble corner	Lower bass corner

Original black-painted, pine case with green, wool-felt lining and brass hardware (replacement handle). Richard Weichold / Dresden printed in gold on black label adhered to inside of case lid.  Green velour viola cover with embroidered kithara in gold and white thread.

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Go to Checklist of Stelzner System Bowed Stringed Instruments

Go to Dr. Alfred Stelzner: Pioneer in Violin Acoustics," by James Christensen

Go to James Christensen's Stelzner Research Archive at the NMM

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Most recent update: March 8, 2014

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