Violin

Title

Violin

Alternative Title

John Antes Violin

Creator

Antes, John (1740-1811)

Publisher

Bethlehem Digital History Project

Date

1759

Type

Still image

Format

image/jpeg

Description

This is the earliest known extant American violin. It was made by the versatile, American-born, John Antes (1740-1811) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It shows characteristics of Saxon violins of which he was familiar. With no master instrument maker to train him, Antes copied what he saw and improved his trade through ingenuity and necessity. In addition to being America’s first luthier, Antes was also a composer and a Moravian missionary.

Raised in Moravian schools, Antes showed early promise as a musician, and also as an instrument maker. The only known Antes instruments which survive, however, are this violin made in 1759, and a viola made in 1764 (now in the collection of the Lititz Moravian Archives). A cello which he made in 1764 is thought to be in the Moravian Church collection in Gnadenhutten, Ohio. Antes was contracted to make a set of instruments for Lititz, Pennsylvania. The only known Antes instruments which survive, however, are this violin made in 1759, and a viola made in 1764 (now in the collection of the Lititz Moravian Archives). A cello which he made in 1764 is thought to be in the Moravian Church collection in Gnadenhutten, Ohio.

This piece, made of maple, walnut, and ebony
was restored by C.F Martin & Co., 1954, and by the Smithsonian Institute, 1967.

Subject

Violin--Pennsylvania--Bethlehem

Identifier

MHS 0243

Place

Bethlehem, Pa

Rights Holder

From the collection of the Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth, Pennsylvania

Rights

For all inquiries regarding rights and usage, please contact the Moravian Historical Society, Nazareth, Pennsylvania.