The work of Giacomo Rivolta, made in Milan, Italy circa 1830. The instrument shows strong influence of the Neopolitan School, particularly from the Gagliano Family of violin making.the instrument is a modified seven-eighth size, cello-shaped, violin-cornered roundback model Bass Violin. The top is a two-piece sectional plate of medium vertical grained spruce. The back table is a one-piece plate of slightly flamed poplar. The ribs are of matching character poplar to that of the back table. The scroll is original of poplar with a highly flamed maple neck graft. The gears are individual brass tuning gears inlaid into the scroll, two tuners to a cheek. the instrument was set up for the modern school of steel string playing with a tension-compensating raised saddle, with a Kolstein Adjustable bridge. The varnish is light brownish amber. The instrument is in mint condition. It was restored by Samuel Kolstein & Son, Ltd. in 1985 and is so labeled.
