the Musical Instruments Museum in Florence also had an alto pair: they were both part of a set belonging to the Medici court. The role of tenors would have been to play the lower register viola lines or second viola in five-part harmony depending on instrumentation. Violins The two violins are of different sizes. They have labels bearing a date of 1709. This dating is accepted by some authorities, although it has been suggested that the instruments are slightly older. Cello The cello is not in its original playing condition, having been modernised. It is reported to be in a good state of conservation after the repair of damage sustained during a photographic session. Conservation The instruments are in the care of the Spanish heritage organisation Patrimonio Nacional, which allows them to be played on occasion. Musicians who have played them in recent years include the Quatuor Mosaïques (a group which specialises in period instruments) and the Cuarteto Quiroga. Recordings The Quatuor Mosaïques made a recording in 2006. See also Axelrod quartet List of Stradivarius instruments References Spanish royal collection Stradivari sets Stradivari cellos Stradivari violins Stradivari instruments