item details
NameCello
ProductionWynford Alington; maker/artist; 1920s?; Ashburton
Classificationmusical instruments, stringed instruments, violoncellos
Materialswood, wire, metal, string
Materials Summaryhomemade wooden cello
Techniqueswoodworking
DimensionsOverall: 370mm (width), 1110mm (height), 250mm (depth)
Registration NumberGH012209
Credit lineGift of William H. Alington, 2009
Overview
This home-made cello is a unique example of a vernacular musical instrument used for social music-making in New Zealand the first part of the 20th century.
The object relates to the frontier tradition of improvising musical instruments and other objects from materials to hand.
It was made by Farmer Wyn Alington, in his work shop (which was built into a macrocarpa hedge) on his Ashburton property, and is an example of his inventiveness.