Russo Viola: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This viola was made by Michele Russo in Providence, Rhode Island. in 1937. It has a table of sitka spruce in two pieces, back of European maple in two pieces with even, medium, gently descending figure, the ribs are of similar maple, the American maple neck is terminated in an elaborately crafted pegbox and closed scroll with two volutes, and transparent reddish-orange varnish. This viola has an original printed and handwritten label:

Michele Galiano Russo Providence, R.I. Dec. 18 No. 8 (logo) 1937 Dedicate alla Memoria di Antonius Stradivari.

This instrument is one of several dedicated by Mr. Russo to Stradivari. The viola is elaborately ornamented with geometric inlays of purfling and hardwoods in a variety of colors on the table, back, pegbox, scroll, tailpiece and pegs.

Materials, dates and provenance

• date made: 1937
• maker: Russo, Michele Gagliano
• maker: Russo, Michele
• Object Name: viola
• Physical Description: spruce (overall material)
• Physical Description: maple (overall material)
• Measurements: overall: 27 7/16 in x 9 9/16 in x 4 5/8 in; 69.69125 cm x 24.28875 cm x 11.7475 cm
• place made: United States: Rhode Island, Providence
• ID Number: MI.67.011
• catalog number: 67.011
• accession number: 270758
• Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Michele Russo
• Data Source: National Museum of American History

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of American History through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed.