Different Forms of Knowledge Violin, Pochettes, or mute violins Shining a light on the Violin Without Side

There are only three known extant examples of the “violins without sides” all of which are currently held in musical instrument collections in Scotland: two in St Cecilia’s Hall (MIMEd 329 and MIMEd 5851) and a third in Dean Castle in Kilmarnock (A-54). Up until now, the lack of in-depth research on these three instruments has led to ambiguous attributions, conflicting dating, and confusing taxonomical cataloguing. This paper will present the findings of new research in an attempt to provide scientific evidence to shine a light on these intriguing objects.