Well, you may have read that "pomposa" applied to an increase in width brought about by Bach. (The instrument, not Bach.)  So I guess you are correct in that it is pompous AND pompous.

The issue remains that I can surf up some good info on something from the 1700's and almost nothing comparable for the modern 5 string …. except, of course, a ton of ads for the modern violins/hardware.   (I smell $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ going on.)

I guess there is some truth to that.  Some variety is interesting.  I am neither in favor or against 5 strings but I would hope that there would be a bigger choice in contemporary 5 string published music …. there seems to be little.

I once strung a 16" viola to violin notes so I could play it right away.  Was fun and gave a great sound.   I would think of getting a viola pomposa except that I am still trying to tame my violin.

(Or is that just a 5 string electric?)