Hello! Does anyone know of any historical sources that mention violin or viola played da gamba? I am well aware of mid 18th century instruments that evolved from the gamba family in order to allow gamba players (and especially women) to play violin music (I am thinking of the Pardessus de Viole and the Quinton for examples), but is there any evidence of actual violin family instruments played this way?

I am primarily a gamba player that also plays cello from time to time. I want to expand my instrument collection and repertoire access upwards into violin and viola territory, but find the "da gamba" posture to be MUCH for comfortable and expressive and I much prefer an underhand bow hold. I would love to one day add pardessus or quinton or treble viol to my instrument collection, but they are a little bit expensive and hard to come by.…