Willem van der Sijde was born circa 1663 in Belgium. The first record of him in the Amsterdam archives is from 1684 where he was registered as a sailor. From 1689 he dedicated himself to being a luthier and he is now considered one of the most important violinmakers from the old Amsterdam school. Unfortunately, only 10 instruments by his hand still exist.
Jumpstart Jr. purchased this lovely violin in May 2021.
This particular violin built in circa 1690 is one of his big, broad and long models. The arching is full and flowing, made from two matched pieces of maple and spruce of very fine quality. The edgework, soft and round, leading into small and slender corners. The varnish is a rich orange that enhances the flame, as it reflects beautifully on the yellow-golden ground.
This violin was played by the famous Dutch violinist, Jaap Schröder. Click on the link and read an interview with two of his former students.