The violoncello or for the short cello belongs to the violin family. It is a low pitched tuned instrument, its four strings being tuned an octave below the viola. The cellist sits to play, with the cello’s body resting on a spike. The cello is often played solo, because of its intense expression of sound. Miniature instruments were made by apprentice craftsmen for their ‘Maters final’ both in Germany and Italy during the 18th and 19th century. Beautiful examples of such miniatures can now be found in museums and private collections.
