Viols in the Classical English Form

Christopher Simpson: The Division Violist, 1659 and 1667

Christopher Simpson: The Division Violist (London, 1659 and 1667)


Pieter Breughel: The Senses

Pieter Breugel: The Senses - Hearing
(Notice the stripes on the top. This indicates that this viol was probably constructed according to the traditional English method of bending strips of wood and joining them together, rather than the traditional violin-making method of cutting out the belly from a thick slab of wood. See also article: Bending over Frontwards by Simone Zopf)



An extremely rare painting of an English
bass viola da gamba, ca. 1680



Treble viola da gamba by William Turner

Treble viola da gamba by William Turner (London, 1656)


Treble viola da gamba by William Turner (London, 1647) treble viola da gamba by Henry Jaye (?), London ca. 1620

Treble viola da gamba by
Willam Turner (London, 1647)

Treble viola da gamba by
Henry Jaye, London, ca. 1620)
(before the restoration)



Bass viola da gamba by Edward Lewis (London, 1687) Bass viola da gamba by William Turner, London ca. 1650


Bass viola da gamba by
Edward Lewis (London, 1687)


Bass viola da gamba by
Willliam Turner (London ca. 1650)
updated 21.11.2007