I've come across an old violin which has an open-backed peg-box.
Is that a known feature of any particular maker or period?

thanks,
mel.

Not an old one, but I have seen a new one like that by an amateur maker who went a bit too far when he was gouging it out!

I once played a late 18th century viola made by Francois Pique, that had an open-backed peg box. It had clearly been done to reduce the weight of the scroll and I have to admit, the reduced weight really made the instrument feel more like a violin.

It is unlikely however that Pique was the only maker to fashion scrolls in this way, or indeed that it was a trend typical of any particular period of violin making.

If you are curious as to the origins/age of the instrument, I would advise you take it to a reputable luthier and have an expert opinon on it. Remember, a lot of 19th century and 20th century instruments are often copied designs and outlines of much older violins.

I am quite willing to believe this is the result of an accident during manufacture.
However I have also managed to find an academic article that suggests that some old violins had open backed peg-boxes to facilitate stringing where access was limited due to the overhanging scroll.

I'm sure I'll have fun investigating this little mystery further.

Mel.