Violin Collection

The Powerhouse Museum’s collection of bowed string instruments is one of its major strengths. In particular its holdings of violins by both European and Australian makers are the largest in the country. The earliest violin acquired was in 1900 and made for the Museum by F Chainie of the Sydney suburb of Balmain. This instrument, made of Australian timbers, was acquired as an example of the type of item that could be made using Australian timbers. Since that time, especially from the late 1960s, the collection has grown as a way of preserving and documenting the history of violin making in Australia.