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Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
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  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
  • Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
Patriotic Lion-Head Violin with Hand-Painted American Eagle, in Original Coffin Case Inscribed “James Tucker” , likely made in Germany, exported to the U.S mid-19th century
$950.00 USD

A striking and visually arresting mid-19th century lion-head violin, retaining its original coffin-form case, the interior rail boldly inscribed in period hand “James Tucker.”

The violin features a carved lion’s head scroll of powerful, almost provincial character — heavy brow, deeply carved mane, and expressive muzzle — lending the instrument a sculptural presence beyond standard production examples. The carving retains rich, darkened patina with honest age wear consistent with decades of handling and use.

Most remarkable is the hand-painted patriotic device on the back: a spread-wing American eagle surmounting a shield with early star configuration, framed by scrolling foliate decoration and encircled by a constellation of green stars. The paint exhibits age-appropriate craquelure, oxidation, and surface wear that corresponds naturally with the violin’s varnish and handling patterns. The central abrasion over the shield is consistent with long-term back contact, reinforcing the authenticity and period application of the decoration.

Patriotically painted violins from the mid-19th century are distinctly uncommon; examples combining carved zoomorphic scrolls with original American iconography are rarer still. The imagery strongly evokes the visual language of the Civil War era, when musical instruments frequently accompanied soldiers and patriotic symbolism permeated personal belongings.

The original coffin case, fitted to the instrument and lined in dark fabric, is inscribed “James Tucker” along the interior rail. The name corresponds to individuals documented in mid-19th century America, including men bearing that name who served during the Civil War period, though no direct documentary link to this specific instrument has been established. Nevertheless, the inscribed case enhances the historical narrative and suggests personal ownership during the era in which the patriotic imagery would have carried profound cultural meaning.