Lark In The Morning

Handmade Matchstick Fiddle by F. Potter

Name: Handmade Matchstick Fiddle by F. Potter
Brand: Lark In The Morning
SKU: ZEK0097
Price: 1499.0 USD
Availability: InStock

SKU:ZEK0097

$1,499.00

Sale Sold out

Shipping calculated at checkout.

Product variants

We were genuinely stopped in our tracks when this one arrived -- a full-size violin by F. Potter and Sons, handmade in August 1917 in Union, Oregon, and covered head to toe in the most extraordinary folk-art inlay work we have ever seen on an American fiddle. It plays as well as it looks, with a bright, cutting tone that handles ornamentation and articulation beautifully. This is a true one-of-a-kind piece for the collector or working musician who wants something that tells a story every time it comes out of the case.

Construction & Materials

The body is built from spruce and maple, the classic pairing for violin making, and is decorated with an elaborate system of inlaid geometric and folk motifs that covers virtually the entire top of the instrument. Stars, diamonds, clubs, triangles, and floral forms are rendered in contrasting wood veneers and arranged in bold diagonal stripes across the face. The sides carry dark inlaid stripe work that extends the decorative scheme around the full body. The scroll shows a distinctive aged, scorched tiger-stripe character that is consistent with the instrument's more than century-old age. Four wooden tuning pegs, a dark ebony fingerboard, and a figured burl chin rest complete the picture of a maker who approached his craft as both engineering and art.

Sound & Playability

Despite its visual showmanship, this violin is a fully functional, playable instrument. The action is comfortable and well-suited to folk, fiddle, and traditional styles. The tone is bright and cutting, with good projection and clarity -- exactly what you want for melodic lines that need to carry over accompaniment or cut through in an ensemble. The string length and body proportions follow standard full-size violin specifications, so any trained player can pick it up and feel immediately at home.

About This Instrument

F. Potter and Sons operated out of Union, Oregon, and the August 1917 build date places this instrument in an era of prolific American folk luthiery. Instruments of this type -- handmade, regionally crafted, and elaborately decorated -- represent a living tradition of American vernacular instrument building that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Very few survive in this condition with such complete and confident decorative work. This is offered as a consignment piece through Lark in the Morning.

Overall Length: 24 1/2 in.
Body Length: 14 1/4 in.
Body Depth: 1 1/2 in.
Upper Bout Width: 7 1/4 in.
Lower Bout Width: 8 3/4 in.
Nut Width: 7/8 in.
Nut to Bridge: 14 in.
Bridge to Tailpiece: 6 in.
No case or bow included

Care & Maintenance

As with all vintage stringed instruments, this violin benefits from a stable humidity environment, ideally between 45 and 55 percent relative humidity. Keep it away from direct heat sources and out of direct sunlight, both of which can stress the aged wood and inlay work. Rosin buildup on the top should be wiped away with a soft, dry cloth after playing. If the instrument requires any adjustment to the bridge, nut, or action, we recommend consulting a qualified luthier with experience in vintage instruments. Given the age and the intricate inlay surface, extra care should be taken to avoid abrasive contact with the top.