This mould gives a 353-354 mm length of back, measuring along the arching (flexible tape).
This latest instrument has an oil varnish finish with no antiquing, over a "mineral ground" coat, obtained by mixing some finely crushed volcanic matter (pumice, pozzolana) into a basic oil varnish.
The pictures were taken before doing the final smoothing and polishing; I did this with tripoli and oil on a cotton rag, then with some diluted "Super Nikco" commercial polish (I find that Super Nikco is too aggressive, even for a new instrument, but it is very efficient in leaving an oil-free surface).
The scroll pattern is derived from an instrument by Del Gesù that was in Ruggiero Ricci's collection. I remember that it was an instrument from the maker's early period, and it does not have the characteristic bulbous shape. The inner turns of the scroll follow the Rocca model, a rationalised and recognizable interpretation from one of the most important Italian makers and copyists, that I am trying to grasp and internalize.
I will return to the Rocca 1854 pattern for my next instrument, and I will see if I can incorporate my new findings into a better rendition of this beautiful model.
