This violin, built by Ferdinand August Homolka in Prague in 1849, was owned by American violinist and orchestra leader Ginger Smock, who was born on this day in 1920. Smock was a critical figure in the development of the Los Angeles jazz scene and a trailblazing leader for female musicians in the male-dominated music industry of the 1940s and 1950s. Her work helped to pave the way for future jazz violinists like India Cooke and Regina Carter.
Violin owned by Ginger Smock
- Description
- A violin, two bows, case and accessories owned by Ginger Smock.
- 2016.161.1.1: A wood violin made of dark colored wood with metal strings. The violin’s pegs, neck and tailpiece are dark wood while the body of the violin is stained lighter. Above the pegs, the violin has a traditional scroll at its top. A light-colored wood bridge is located at the center of the violin body between the violin’s ribs. A metal bracket is attached to the tailpiece and metal tuners are at the top next to the strings. A plastic chin rest is attached to the bottom of the violin. There is a white label with black text inside the proper left sound hole that reads “Ferinandus Aug. Homolka / Fecit Prague 1849 / F. H.” Handwritten below the printed text is “5263.”
- 2016.161.1.2: A wood violin bow with a pearl inlay. The bow is a long, slightly curved, cylindrical rod. One end of the bow has a curved wooden tip, with a metal edge that attaches the horse hair. The opposite end of the bow has a black wood piece, known as the frog, attached to it with decorative pearl inlay in the shape of a circle on both sides. A leather pad covers the metal grip on the rod in front of the frog. A metal screw cap is at the end of the bow.
- 2016.161.1.3: A wood violin bow with a pearl inlay. The bow is a long, slightly curved, cylindrical rod. One end of the bow has a curved wooden tip, with a metal edge that attaches the horse hair. The opposite end of the bow has a black wood piece, known as the frog, attached to it with a small decorative pearl inlay in the shape of a circle on both sides. These inlays have another circle inlay around it. On the rod of the bow in front of the frog is a metal grip. A metal screw cap is at the end of the bow.
- 2016.161.1.4a-o: A tan plastic violin case with a removable canvas cover. The case has metal latches and hinges and has a plastic handle. The middle hinge in the back of the case is engraved with “MADE IN / GERMANY.” The case is lined with red felt. A sticker is adhered to the inside cover of the case where the bows are stored. The sticker is clear with an image of a rainbow and clouds on the left side and rainbow colored block lettering on the right side. Under the rainbow on the left side is “PRAISE / the / LORD.” The right side of the sticker says “JESUS.” A red satin violin cover and a white cloth are in the case. A black cloth chin rest with metal brackets is also in the case. Inside a closable tray in the top of the case are several accessories and tools. These include two keys, a rubber ball, two balls of wax like material wrapped in green felt, a spare bridge, a screw driver, a green chin rest and two parts of a metal hinge.
- Data Source
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Created by
- Ferdinand August Homolka, Czech, 1828 - 1890
- Owned by
- Ginger Smock, American, 1920 - 1995
- Date
- 1849
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lydia Samuel Bennett
- Medium
- 2016.161.1.1 (violin): wood, metal, plastic;
- 2016.161.1.2 (bow): wood, horsehair, metal, leather, and mother of pearl;
- 2016.161.1.3 (bow): wood, horsehair, metal, and mother of pearl;
- 2016.161.1.4a-o (case and accesories): plastic, metal canvas, felt, rubber, wax
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (violin): 24 7/16 × 7 15/16 × 3 9/16 in. (62 × 20.2 × 9 cm)
- H x W x D (bow): 29 3/16 × 1 3/16 × 1/2 in. (74.2 × 3 × 1.2 cm)
- H x W x D (bow): 29 3/16 × 1 3/16 × 1/2 in. (74.2 × 3 × 1.2 cm)
- H x W x D (case): 31 11/16 × 10 13/16 × 5 3/16 in. (80.5 × 27.5 × 13.1 cm)
- H x W x D (case cover): 32 1/16 × 11 × 5 3/16 in. (81.5 × 28 × 13.1 cm)
- H x W x D (satin bag): 25 3/16 × 9 7/16 × 1/16 in. (64 × 24 × 0.2 cm)
- H x W (white cloth): 15 15/16 × 15 9/16 in. (40.5 × 39.5 cm)
- H x W x D (black rest): 7 11/16 × 2 3/4 × 1 15/16 in. (19.5 × 7 × 5 cm)
- H x W x D (key): 1 1/4 × 5/8 × 1/16 in. (3.2 × 1.6 × 0.1 cm)
- H x W x D (key): 1 1/4 × 5/8 × 1/16 in. (3.2 × 1.6 × 0.1 cm)
- H x W x D (green rest): 6 7/8 × 3 9/16 × 1 in. (17.5 × 9 × 2.5 cm)
- H x W x D (screw driver): 3 1/8 × 9/16 × 9/16 in. (8 × 1.5 × 1.5 cm)
- H x W x D (spare bridge ): 2 3/4 × 13/16 × 1/16 in. (7 × 2 × 0.1 cm)
- H x W x D (metal hinge): 2 3/4 × 1 3/4 × 1 3/16 in. (7 × 4.5 × 3 cm)
- H x W x D (metal hinge): 2 9/16 × 1 3/4 × 1 3/16 in. (6.5 × 4.5 × 3 cm)
- Diameter (rubber ball): 2 5/8 in. (6.6 cm)
- H x W x D (ball of wax in felt bag): 1 15/16 × 1 15/16 × 1 5/16 in. (5 × 5 × 3.4 cm)
- H x W x D (ball of wax in felt bag): 2 1/2 × 3 1/8 × 13/16 in. (6.3 × 8 × 2 cm)
- Type
- violins
