Object Details
- Description
This violin clamp is made of two wooden blocks with leather strips and rubber feet held together by an aluminum tightening screw. It was used when reglueing the top and bottom of a violin to the ribs. This clamp was previously used by American bow maker Arnold R. Bone.
Arnold R. Bone (July 26, 1913 - August 9, 2001) was an engineer, inventor, gunsmith, string instrument bowmaker. He grew up in South Ryegate, Vermont, and graduated from Wentworth Institute in 1935. After graduation, Bone worked at Irwin Auger Bit Company in Wilmington, Ohio before returning to Wentworth to teach Navy machinist mates during World War II until 1944. The final part of his career, Bone worked at Dennison Mfg. Company in Framingham (now Avery Dennison) when he retired in 2000.
Arnold R. Bone held numerous patents at Dennison, including several for the Swiftacher, the device for attaching tags to clothing with a nylon filament. His ubiquitous fasteners are still used today. Bone applied his engineering and master craftsman skills to making string instrument bows, and also became one of the world's most respected experts on repair and restoration of fine bows. His customers ranged from young students to members of professional ensembles such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and bows were shipped to him from all over the world.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- Credit Line
- Gift of Leona M. Bone Trust
- Physical Description
- wood (overall material)
- aluminum (overall material)
- leather (overall material)
- rubber (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1 1/4 in x 3 1/8 in x 1 3/4 in; 3.175 cm x 7.9375 cm x 4.445 cm
- Object Name
- clamp
