Personalizing an instrument with specially requested art work is a custom as old as the stringed instrument itself. During the twentieth century, the practice largely went out of fashion. But the love for making an instrument unique is ever-present and this type of artwork is, happily, becoming popular again. Painting and sculpting are also two of my favorite pastimes and what follows are photos of three instruments, a five-string Pellegrina pomposa, a Maximilian violin and a Riviola, all of which have been decorated in this fashion. The art of one (the pomposa) is full of allegory and symbolic mystery; the others simply have attractive decorative additions. But by viewing them together, perhaps you can get an idea of what is possible. Click the images for more detailed photos and explanations. Enjoy!

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