NAILHEAD-MOTIF VIOLIN
Nelphas Prévost made this violin in the winter of 1979-1980 to demonstrate his artistic capabilities. The sides and the back of the body were carved from a single pine log. The soundboard is also of pine. The back and the soundboard are outlined by the nailhead motif, and a chain of nailheads crosses the back lenghtways. There is a bird's foot in relief on the tailpiece. The chin rest, the pegs and the fingerboard, which is decorated with a plant and bears the inscription "1980 ans", are made of sumac. An alert beaver whose tail merges with the maple neck of the violin replaces the traditional scroll. The body is stained dark brown and the edges have been wiped to accentuate the relief. The violin was completed in time to be used at a fiddler's festival held in Pointe-au-Chêne, Argenteuil County, in July 1980. Since the body of the violin is of softwood, the tone is weak. However, Mr. Prévost himself admits that he is an amateur instrument-maker, who is noted more for his imagination than his technical virtuosity; he seeks to create an icon rather that a musical instrument.
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