This violin is interesting as the work of an amateur who taught himself new skills after being badly injured inthe First World War. It is also remarkable in some aspects of its manufacture and construction.

The Powerhouse Museum's musical instrument collection contains the largest number of violins by Australian makers in a public collection. The majority of makers represented were either professional makers or were semi-professional amateurs who produced a significant body of work. This particular violin by Arthur Hodgson is of interest in that it differs markedly in design and construction from other instruments in the collection. For example its back, ribs, neck, pegbox and scroll are all carved from a single piece of timber.

Born in Yorkshire, Arthur Hodgson migrated to Australia in 1912 and enlisted in the AIF on 24 July 1915. As a member of the 25th Battalion he saw service in Egypt and France, where he was serioously wounded in the neck and shoulder. He also contracted tuberculosis and was invalided out of the army in 1918. He made the violin as one of many projects after the war to occupy his time and learn new skills.

Michael Lea
Curator, music & musical instruments
May, 2002

The violin was designed and made by Arthur Hodgson in 1936. The body was hollowed out using a hammer and chisel. Hodgson also made furniture and display cabinets and floral decorative ceramic ornaments.

Violin and chin rest, timber / fabric / plastic / metal, designed and made by Arthur Hodgson, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia, [1936]

Timber violin with wide grained belly, possibly pine or spruce. The belly is highly arched with two long and irregular f-holes cut into it. The belly appears to be made from a single piece of timber rather than being joined in the centre. Ribs and back are constructed from a single solid piece of timber which has been hollowed and shaped to form the body, neck and scroll. It has an unusually narrow waist for a playing instrument. Two tuning pegs are missing, as are the bridge, tailpiece and strings. No maker's mark or label is visible inside the instrument. A shoelace is threaded through the peg holes. The chin rest is detached; it is of black painted timber, wing shaped and is attached to a metal bracket.

Designed: Hodgson, Arthur; Sydney

Made: Hodgson, Arthur; Sydney; 1931 - 1941

No marks

2002/48/1

65 mm

195 mm