Bass Viola da Gamba ca. 1669 Andreas Jais German Andreas Jais was from a Tyrolean family of instrument builders active in Bolzano in the eighteenth century. Despite its unoriginal narrow neck and fingerboard (replacements from a conversion to the cello), this instrument maintains its original oblong and curvilinear shape, a feature typical of instruments from this region.Description: Seven strings; unusual lobed lower bouts; oval rosette inserted above flame-shaped soundholes contains a double-headed eagle and unidentified coat of arms; two-piece table of Alpine spruce with very fine grain widening toward the flanks; two-piece back and ribs of curly maple with irregular figure; reddish-brown varnish; neck and fittings are recent; grafted pegbox terminates in a lion's head; manuscript label possibly spurious. (L. Libin, 1992). Bass Viola da Gamba. Austrian. ca. 1669. Wood. Absam, Austria. Chordophone-Bowed