Owner: HWMC
Catalog#: 2CL-CHLT-077
Special Thanks to:
Tony Bingham for finding and sending me a copy of the patent for this instrument.
Conservation work done by Shaun Fosdick, Luthier, St. Louis Strings.
Provenance: Bass Museum of Art Collection. Miami Beach, Florida
Violin Family
Cello (Thomas Howell)
England
English
Wood, ebony, metal strings
19th century (1879)
Height: 48 in; Width: 4.875 in; Depth: 13.5 in; Strings: 29 in
Strings – Lutes – Violin Family
Labeled: Black ink inscription inside: THOMAS HOWELLS/ LONDON/ ROYAL LETTERS PATENT/A.D. 1879 / NO. 76. Initials: T.H. I was also able to secure a copy of the actual patent: Patent dated: 25th July 1879, No 3022. It appears to be an experimental cello and reads: “IMPROVMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF THE VIOLIN CLASS (BOW INSTRUMENTS).” This is what serves as a name for the instrument. The patent is 6 pages with drawings, descriptions, etc.
Howell was an inventor and instrument maker active in Bristol during the 1830s to 1880s. This cello patented by Thomas Howell appears to be an experimental creation. A possible suggestion for this design maybe it would accommodate women, who wore large hoop skirts during this time, to play the cello without having to place the instrument between their legs. Instead, they play the instrument slightly to their side. It is made of a light wood with four metal strings, metal tuning pegs, and an ebony fingerboard. The body is narrow with a flattened teardrop shape and cutout on the front to allow room for the fingerboard and neck. It has a large scroll at the top, and the tuning pegs sit at the top of the body just underneath. The bridge protrudes from the sound hole about 2/3 of the way down the instrument. The tailpiece is decorated with a circular piece of mother of pearl, and the entire body is trimmed with a raised and rounded wood edge matching the body.