French 14 & 7/8″ 1780 L Falaise 5 String Option Viola

This beautiful old Stradivarius Copy viola for sale was made by L Falaise (sometimes rendered Falaire), brother of Joseph Falaise, circa 1780 in Mirecourt, FRANCE.  L Falaise is stamped into the wood in the rib above the end button.  The body measures 14 and 7/8 inches in length, making this viola smaller than standard size.  The viola is excellently crafted and varnished with a lovely dark brown oil.  It is an approximate Stradivarius model.  The viola is in excellent shape, especially considering it’s age; is has had a small upper right bout repair and a lower left bout repair.  The 14 and 7/8″ Falaise Viola also has a filled in hole in the peg box for a 5th peg.  This filling can be removed to make a 5 string viola.  The tone on this viola is surprisingly rich and full for such a small size viola.  The sound carries well and projects superbly.