Berlin, Germany
Julius Zöller

Wood, ebony, metal 
ca. 1950s
Total Length: 25.13 in; Body Length: 14.5; Width: 9.25 in
Strings – Lutes – Violin Family

This violin by Julius Zöller (born in 1893, active until after 1962) is quite novel in design and impressive in sound.  It has four top strings and a 5^th sympathetic string under the fingerboard tuned in F.  The body design has a circular lower bout and a rectangular top with rounded top corners.  The 5 pegs have thin metal shafts and rather than a purfling there’s an insert flat heel.   On top of the sound table this viola has interesting sounding flame holes (unusual) and in the ribs on both sides each are 5 elongated openings.  According to Zöller, ‘The whole violin must vibrate uninhibitedly.’  Thus, he built this instrument on the laws of vibration and made it out of maple, using ordinary alcohol varnish.

Julius Zöller was inspired by many Rudolf Steiner lectures as a member of the Anthroposophical Society since 1916.

Resource:  https://www.davidvelascomusic.com/menu/english/instrument-collection/en-antropo        
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67g1RUtGa3A