Rough and Ready

Who knows what this rough and ready violin may have sounded like, but it still stands as testament to the thrifty mentality of rural Taranaki.

The instrument’s body has been crafted from benzine boxes by Ernest Alberthsen, who farmed in Tututawa, east Taranaki, during the 1920s. It was given to Edna Phillips soon after. Edna never heard the instrument played and it was missing its strings and other important parts when it was donated to Taranaki Museum in 2001.

Puke Ariki also cares for other violins in the Heritage Collection, which were made to a much higher standard by recognised Taranaki craftsmen including Charles Johnson and William Billing.