REMARKABLE FIDDLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 131, 4 June 1937, Page 9

REMARKABLE FIDDLE

“CLOVER LEAF” AMATI AN AMERICAN VISITOR’S POSSESSION HISTORY OF THE INSTRUMENT A violin with a remarkable history is the constant companion of Mr. George Pistorius, the American troubadour, who is at present visiting Wanganui during his tour of the world. According to its owner, the instrument is what is known as a “clover leaf” Amati, but its treatment during the course of a rather hecJc career has deprived it of much of its intrinsic value, though it is still an excellent fiddle.

Mr. Pistorius informed a reporter that this particular type of violin was the product of Andreas Amati, forerunner of the Cremona school ancl grandfather of the teacher of Stradivarius. The most perfect of a number made for Charles IX of France, X was selected for the King’s own use, and Andreas inlaid the clover-leaf design as a gesture that Charles’ reign might be tempered with kindness. It had little effect. The massacre of St. Bartholomews Day occurred before Charles’ reign ended with his death in 1574. Later these violins were deposited in a vault in Versailles, and during the revolution they disappeared in the monasteries. The “clover-leaf” was rescued years afterwards, says Mr. Pistorius, by Luigi Tarisio, described as the greatest violin connoisseur the world has ever known. Journeying through Europe repairing violins, he carried a common fidale or two, and managed to exchange one for the clover-leaf.” He never parted from it and on his death it went to Nicholas of Russia, who was said to have received a fabulous sum for it. This is how the instrument was mutilated. A servant of the Tsar and a violin maker conspired to exchange an imitation for the origil nal “clover leaf.” In the hope that they might smuggle their prize out of Russia, they changed the Charles IX head for a common one and scraped the original varnish off the violin. Thus they removed its value. Mr. Pistorius states that he bought the instrument from a Russian nobleman who fled from his country to America with it.