The viola belonged to the estate of Ludwig van Beethoven and was part of a quartet of stringed instruments gifted to him by Prince Lichnowsky of Woschütz. The false label inside the instrument—also recorded in the estate inventory after Beethoven’s death—attributes it to: “Vincenzo Ruger detto il Per., in Cremona, 1690.” However, the construction and design of the instrument, particularly its distinctive wavy outline, indicate that it was made by Anton Gedler in Füssen, southern Germany. Several features confirm Ludwig van Beethoven’s ownership. A large wax seal on the upper part of the back, just below the button, bears the initials “LvB” and was made using Beethoven’s personal stamp, which is now held in the collection of the Beethoven-Haus Bonn. In addition, a large “B” was inscribed on the back plate using pencil. These same markings also appear on the other three instruments of the quartet.
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