Strohviol (horn-fiddle)
Musical instrument, specifically an experimental stringed instrument with mechanical amplification. • Couesnon & Cie., (Maker), based on the invention by Johannes Matthias Augustus Stroh.
Style & Movement
Industrial Age Innovation / Early Recording Era Audio Engineering.
Medium & Technique
Maple and ebony wood for the body and fingerboard; brass for the large flared horn and smaller monitoring horn. Mechanical diaphragm coupling string vibration to an acoustic horn.
Creation Period
1926–1950
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 60-70 cm in length; elongated profile designed for shoulder bracing with an asymmetrical horn projection.
Subject Description
A hybrid musical instrument featuring a violin-style fingerboard and bridge connected to a diaphragm, which pushes sound through a large directional brass horn rather than a traditional wooden hollow-body resonator.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent. The metal shows high polish with minimal tarnish, and the wood components appear structurally sound and well-preserved.
Estimated Market Value
$3,000 - $5,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$2,500 - $4,500 USD
Provenance History
Formerly in the Walter J. Erdmann Collection; currently part of an educational or museum exhibition on musical innovation.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of a pivotal era in audio history where mechanical amplification was necessary for early acoustic recording processes (pre-electric microphone). It marks the intersection of lutherie and industrial design.
Notable Features
Includes a secondary smaller monitoring horn aimed at the player's ear; Couesnon maker's mark; characteristic S-curve brass tubing connecting the bridge to the bell.
Condition Issues
Minor surface scratches consistent with age; possible drying of internal diaphragm materials and typical light wear on the ebony fingerboard.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55%) to prevent wooden cracking; use microcrystalline wax on metal components; avoid direct handling of brass to prevent oil-induced corrosion.