Thank you! I wasn't exactly sure since looking at the flame on the back of my viola and then through the f hole it was more prominent to be seen. While on my violin, certain angles with the light would reveal some dark lines where the flame would be seen, so I wasn't entirely sure.

I could perhaps ask my violin teacher since we won't be paying another visit to my luthier anytime soon. I may also be able to get a picture inside the instrument, but like I had said, I can really only see the grains of the wood with some spots of flame inside, so I am a bit baffled.

I can see some light lines that I'm assuming is part of the flame. I'm not entirely sure.

Edit: This whole time I thought I added the picture...

Hermes said
I also think it's real, but that is just my impression. I am no expert, but since the color changes under the light when you move the instrument, there are some serious odds that it's the pattern of the wood, and not something fake. And even if it was fake, it would take a lot of time and effort, to achieve such a result I guess...so if this is the worst case scenario, then it would be a job of a master hehe.

Also, I get the impression that in the pic you posted looking through the f hole, maybe the wood pattern matches what we see in the instrument's back. It's not that apparent of course, but as Fiddlerman said, the varnishing process brings out the flame.

The flame in your instrument is not some kind of a stereotype. Some interruptions of the pattern, mainly in one side... It seems pretty unique to me, adding some special character to this violin. So I don't think that it is a fake flame...

I really like the pattern of the neck and the scroll...Seems as if the luthier that made this instrument got his hands some interesting wood selection

Regarding the "spilling things" issue...what is the age of your violin? Any chance that more than one luthier messed with it during it's life? It could just be some varnish though...

I myself sometimes become obsessed with such things in my main violin. Almost unseen imperfections, microscopic dents and "scars"...I will just repeat what my luthier said me some years ago, when my violin got it first tiny chip and I called him in panic just to find out it can be "repaired"..."The violin just started its own life" he said...And I never had this imperfection repaired   

I was actually told my violin was factory made - where all the parts were handed down a line of people. And honestly, all those curious black spots and spills inside the instrument remain a mystery. As you saw, there was no label and this violin was bought used so I can't confirm it's age. I know for a fact it is over 7 years old though.

As for the neck, it is unique but when you look close at the neck of the instrument, the flame is there on one side of the instrument. It seems that from when we bought this instrument, the man who previously owned it shifted a lot (and played in general, the second bow we had from this guy had no life in it) and the flame seems to have actually been rubbed around. When I say "flame" I mean the finish on it. It's kind of weird but I can't deny that I do infact like it.

Then on one last note...Funny you mention the chip on your instrument. Just recently (maybe a week ago, I haven't been able to play for awhile) I noticed that underneath the scroll where the top end of the peg-box is...a small chunk of the peg-box has actually started chipping off. I have no clue how such a weird injury could happen in such an awkward spot but I am not the happiest child and feel that urging need to get it fixed, despite it having no affects on the sound of the instrument.