An 18th century cello, labelled 'Jacobus Stainer in absam prope oe nipontum 1660', in a W. E. Hill & Sons ebonised wood case, the two piece back with central diamond pattern purfling with irregular flame and fine fleck, and similar sides and scroll with replacement neck, the varnish of orange chestnut brown colour, the bridge stamped W. E. Hill & Sons, Length of back 71cm, upper bouts 32cm, middle bouts 22.5cm, lower bouts 41cm wide, Numerous old repairs Provenance - Margherita Tedeschi (d. 1986), a music teacher; thence by family descent. Her brother Guido was a luthier. Possibly Miss R. Backhouse (Blackhouse?) inscribed 'Miss R. Backhouse 1768' on a W. E. Hill & Sons label applied to a brown paper sleeve, presumably for a bow, found inside the case.