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Decoding a violin's origin

based on

molecular genetic tools

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Establishment of

and data

reference DNA sample sets

About the project

The reason

Instrument fraud in all its aspects is a major issue affecting the entire instrument business. Thus, authentication and fraudulent identification is of utmost importance. Currently, a violin’s authenticity can be determined through comparative study of design, model, wood characteristics, and varnish texture, as well as dendrochronology. But all these techniques have its limitations and are not always conclusive.

The aim

The aim of the project is to work towards a workflow for the authentication of antique violins as well as the establishment of a data base for provenance and species identification of spruce and maple wood used in the construction of modern and antique violins based on state-of-art molecular genetic methods.

The reference

A database of recent Norway spruce populations of known ‘violin forests’ in the Alpine region as well as maple samples from the Balkan peninsula in connection with data generated from recent tone wood samples and antique wood probes will serve in the establishment of an exhaustive reference data base.

The challenge

In particular, the extraction of DNA from antique wood is considered to be a challenge for molecular biologists since the predominantly dead wood tissue generally contains little and very degraded DNA. Thus, a thorough methodology needs to be developed in order to achieve DNA in sufficient quantity, quality and integrity.

Current status

Ongoing sampling activities for reference material.

Italy (Paneveggio) 96 Samples
Austria (Lungau) 64 Samples
Austria (Pottenstein) 16 Samples
Germany (Mittenwald) 53 Samples
Austria (Großer Ahornboden) 40 Samples
Bosnia (Ribinik, Benja Lika) 42 Samples
Bosnia (East Drvar, Han Pijasak) 42 Samples
Serbia (Djerdap, Pirot) 86 Samples
Serbia (Kapoanik, Pirot) 40 Samples
Switzerland(Risoud) 136 Samples

About us

Project partner

ait_logo_w200    AIT – Austrian Institute of Technology

As a non-university research organization the AIT aims to solve current challenges associated with demographic and climate change, to develop novel technologies to increase the utilization of bioresources.
www.ait.ac.at

Marcel Richters

The master violin maker Marcel Richters and his team are specialized in selling, restoring, and certifying stringed instruments.
http://www.marcelrichters.com

ih_logoIngles and Hayday

The specialist music instrument auctioneers Ingles & Hayday offer stringed instruments for sale by private sale and auction.
http://ingleshayday.com

Collaborations

Prof. Dr. Saša Orlović

University of Novi Sad, Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment, Novi Sad, Serbia
http://www.ilfe.org

Prof. Dr. Vesna Milić

University of East Sarajevo, Faculty of Agriculture, East Sarajevo, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
http://www.unssa.rs.ba/

Consultant

Julian Anderson

Julian Paul Anderson is a professional violin consultant and offers for sale fine antique instruments to celebrated musicians, discerning investors and collectors.
www.strad.biz

Funding

This project is funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)

Get in touch

Contact

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