Sitka Spruce (top) and Curly Pear (sides and back). Boxwood fittings with inlaid design. Hand-carved boxwood pegs tipped with ebony. Inlaid star in head. Length 61 cm. Width 21 cm.

This fiddle was purchased by Shaun Elder, composer, Royal Conservatory of Music consultant, and creator of Piano Invention, a free music app that lets anyone play and create music.

 “Magical sounds…an amazingly responsive instrument…ideal for early music as well as folk” – Shaun Elder.

Hardanger Fiddles (hardingfele) originated in the Hardanger fjord area of southwestern Norway around 1650. Great variations exist, but the distinguishing feature is a set of sympathetic strings under the fingerboard which add resonating overtones to the sound.