The Gregg fiddle

Key details

Object number: 97.90
Date: 1750
On display: Yes

Description

A decorated baroque fiddle of naïve construction dating c.1750, origin unknown, attributed ownership, William Gregg dance teacher of Robert Burns.

Painted pine, with modern attachments, the front, and back painted in red, green and black. Stylised flowers and foliage within a border of flowers issuing from rockwork edged with ebonised toothed decoration, the sides painted with leaves and seeds in herringbone pattern (considerably restored and with replacement mounts, pegs, etc). With modern bow and in a case.

Burns’s dance teacher William Gregg reportedly played this fiddle at the Bachelor's Club in Tarbolton, while Robert learned the dance steps.

Seall barrachd

Object information

Acquisition

12 June 1997

Material

Measurements

Length: 11.6(Length)
Length: 28(cm)
Length: 35.5(cm)
2.4(Length)
20.5(Length)
11.8(cm)
16.7(cm)
21.7(cm)