This single-string Apache “violin,” was collected in Arizona in the 1890s. The instrument is made of two pieces of wood hollowed out and glued together to form a cylinder, and is decorated with carved and painted geometric designs.
Musical Instrument Similar To Violin
- Notes
- From card: "Instrument made of two pieces of wood hollowed out and glued together to form a cylinder 1 5/8" long and 2 5/8" diam; single metal wire string; incised and painted in geometric designs over surface. Bow 16" long; string missing. Entered as No. 136 in Glenna's catalog: 'Apache violin, made by Dominick, given me by Lieut. (Allyn K.) Capron 7th Cav. This style is an old Apache instrument and the probable origin of the sign language name for the Apaches.'" The name Dominick is written on the fiddle.
- Dominick could possibly be Joseph Dominick, Chiricahua Apache, Apache name Dahahtsozhn. Dominick served in Company "L" , of the 7th Cavalry, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He died on May 17, 1898. He is buried in the Beef Creek Apache Cemetery, in Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma. https://apacheria.es/chiricahuas-2/
- Record Last Modified
- 22 Apr 2022
- Specimen Count
- 1
- Data Source
- NMNH - Anthropology Dept.
- Collector
- Brig. Gen. James D. Glennan
- Donor Name
- Frances Glennan
- Accession Date
- 14 Nov 1947
- Object Type
- Fiddle
