Viola da gamba (viol)

Viols form an instrument family whose members appear in different sizes. The three instruments by Antonio Ciciliano cover the descant, tenor and bass size. They were kept in the collection of the Obizzi family at Catajo Castle. Dendrochronological analyses of the instrument's belly of their instruments point to a manufacture's date after 1602. The viols by Ciciliano show traces of repair works. Probably because of worm infestation the ribs of two instruments as well as the back of one intsrument habe been replaced. Nevertheless, they are considered as very important representatives of viols from the early 17th century. (bd)