Enrico Ceruti *SOLD*

sku Product SKU:  22444

We are especially pleased to be able to offer this fine violin by Enrico Ceruti, one of the most important 19^th. century Italian violin makers. Grandson of J.B.Ceruti and son of Giuseppe, Enrico began his career with his father at only ten years of age. By the time he was in his late 20’s he had already established a fine reputation among musicians all over northern Italy. He exhibited his instruments in competitions all over Europe and won medals in his native Cremona as well as London and Vienna. This exceptional violin has a clear, dark tone, rich with lots of color.

This violin is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from W.E.Hill & Sons, London dated 1942,  reissued in 1954 and a certificate from Rembert Wurlitzer, New York dated 1962.

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Annibale Fagnola *SOLD*

sku Product SKU:  21205

We are fortunate to be offering two superb examples of the great Italian luthier, Annibale Fagnola.

Fagnola was one of the most successful violin makers of his generation, producing excellent instruments for a discerning clientele.   Counted among the greatest Italian makers of his generation, he was mostly self-taught.  Beginning his activities as a violin maker only in 1903, already in his mid 30s, he had influential contact with other fine Turin makers, includiung Guerra and Oddone.  By 1911 he won gold medal for a quartet of instruments exhibited at the National Exposition in Turin, a prize which solidified his standing as a respected luthier.  During the 1920s Fagnola reached the height of his ability as a maker, when his instruments were in great demand and his style was at its most mature.  

His fame stretched beyond the borders of Italy, throughout Europe and even to Japan.  He received multiple commissions from England, his instruments were being sold in the United States, the great French violinist and author of the foundational Dictionniare Des Luthiers Anciens Et Modernes, gave a glowing review in his tome, and commissions were coming in even from as far away as Japan.  

He drew his inspiration from the superb Turin tradition, copying the models of Guadagnini, Rocca, and Pressenda.  

This violin is based on a Pressenda model, and demonstrates his skill as a luthier:  Thick, transluscent varnish, superb arching, and clean lines.  The instrument is in excellent condition, having been part of a stellar collection for many years, and is tonally rich, clear and powerful, ready for the concert stage. 

This violins is pictured in “Italian and French Violin Makers” by Jost Thöne, pages 160-163.

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Ferdinand Gagliano

sku Product SKU:  22396

The Gagliano family of makers (14 in all) dominated violin making in Naples for almost two centuries, from about 1700 to 1886. Ferdinando trained with his uncle Gennaro, but his work shows the influence of both his father Nicolo and his uncle. This violin has exceptional tonal qualities, suitable for a top professional violinist.

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Samuel Nemessányi

sku Product SKU:  23151

Samuel Nemessányi is generally considered to be the finest of all Hungarian violin makers. He trained with J.B.Schweitzer and T.Zach then worked in Prague before returning to Budapest in 1863. His violins were highly regarded in his own time. He primarily made reproductions of the work of Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesu which were so skillfully done that they were often re-labeled and sold as fine old Italian instruments.  This violin is an excellent example of this master's work with a wonderful sound that has all the best tonal qualities a violinist could possibly want. This fine violin, a Guarneri copy, is featured in the important book on Hungarian makers by Peter Benedek with numerous photographs and a detailed description.

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Romeo Antoniazzi

sku Product SKU:  23350

Romeo Antoniazzi is considered one of the most important Italian violin makers of the late 19^th. and early 20^th. centuries. Born in Cremona in 1862, Romeo worked first with his father Gaetano, then with Leandro Bisiach and Monzino in Milan. He had an important workshop producing very fine violins, violas and cellos. He also trained a number of great makers like G.Pedrazzini, F.Garimberti and P.Parravincini. This is a truly exceptional and beautiful example of Romeo Antoniazzi’s work with a superb tone, with depth, power and great playability. This violin is accompanied with a Peter Prier certificate.

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Riccardo Antoniazzi

sku Product SKU:  21650

Born in 1853, Riccardo Antoniazzi was the eldest son of Gaetano with whom he studied. He spent some time working in Nice with N. Bianchi before setting up his own workshop in Milan in 1881. Among his students was Leandro Bisiach. with whom he worked for a number of years. He was a major figure in the establishment of the modern Milanese school of makers and trained some of the major figures of the nest generation. Riccardo Antoniazzi is considered one of the finest and most important makers of his time in Milan. This fine violin has a powerful and resonant tone with a nice texture and is very responsive and easy to play.

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Samuel Nemessanyi

sku Product SKU:  23755

Generally considered the finest of all Hungarian makers, Nemessanyi trained with J.B.Schweitzer and Thomas Zach before moving to Prague where he worked with A Sitt. He returned to Budapest in 1863.  He employed several distinguished pupils He was quite successful in his own time, even though he only made a relatively small number of instruments. This fine violin is an exceptionally fine and attractive example of Nemessany’s work with superb tonal qualities.

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Eugenio Degani

sku Product SKU:  22383

Born in Merlara, Eugenio Degani worked with his father Domenico, then moved to Montagnana and finally to Venice in 1888 where he was highly successful and respected. He was awarded Gold medals at competitions in Paris, Bologna, Turin and Palermo.

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Charles Adolphe Gand

sku Product SKU:  18794

Like so many of the finest luthiers, Charles Adolph Gand grew up in a family with a long lineage of important makers. His pedigree can be traced back to Nicolas Lupot of Orleans, arguably France’s most influential maker. After studying with and working for Francois Pique, the first of the French makers working in the “modern” style, Lupot set up in Paris in 1798. His accolades include an appointment to the Imperial Chapel in 1813, luthier to King Louis XVIII in 1816, and a commission as luthier to the Paris Conservatory of Music in 1817, to whom he would make an instrument for the winner of the annual competition. In 1802 he hired Charles Francois Gand, known as Gand Pére, as apprentice.

Charles Francois Gand, the father of Charles Adolph Gand, was himself a first rate luthier. Having learned the “modern” style from his master, Gand Pére constructed instruments on the Stradivarius model rather than the Stainer or Amati models. In other words, he preferred instruments with a flatter arching which achieved a powerful sound fit for contemporary concert halls. In 1820 he acquired the shop of another influential Parisian maker, Koliker, building a large atelier of international importance. Though he was considered a rival to the thriving businesss of Vuillaume and Lupot, he maintained a good relationship with Lupot. When Lupot retired in 1824, he passed all his official appointments to Gand Pére.

Charles Adolph Gand, also known as Gand Frére, took over his father’s shop in 1845. Steeped in a rich tradition of France’s best luthiers, Gand flourished as one of the finest makers of his generation. Working with his brother Eugene, he won 1st prize at the Paris Exhibition in 1855, receiving the prize directly from Napoleon III, the emperor of France. In 1862 he was made Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, the highest honor in France. A source of national pride, he was also the official luthier to the Paris opera and to the Emperor. Because he was an acclaimed expert of old instruments he had limited time to make instruments. Yet his entire production is of the highest quality, and is sought after by collectors and professional musicians alike.

This violin is exemplary of his production. All the woodwork is exquisite and elegant, the varnish a rich red with a touch of antiquing. The tone is clear and fresh with plenty of power. It is in exceptional condition and would be fit for a collector or professional musician. It is accompanied by a certificate from Jean-Jacque Rampal from 2020.

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Georges Chanot *SOLD*

sku Product SKU:  22213

Georges Chanot was one of the top Parisian violin makers of the 19^th century and a rival to J.B.Vuillaume. His violins are highly sought after. He worked first with his father Joseph then with other important Parisian masters before opening his own workshop in 1823. He was famous not just as a maker but as an expert and dealer.

This violin has a wonderful tone, highly responsive and resonant and is a real joy to play. It is also attractively priced in that the scroll is not original to this violin but is an authentic work of Chanot, from a later instrument.  The violin is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Bernard Millant in Paris.

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Gand & Bernardel Frères

sku Product SKU:  19603

The firm of Gand & Bernardel Frères was formed by Charles Nicolas Gand and Ernest Bernardel in 1866 and became one of the most important violin firms in the World. This beautiful violin is a fine example of their work and has a brilliant, direct tone quality.

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Nicolas Darche

sku Product SKU:  23322

After his training in Mirecourt, Nicolas went to Brussels, working with N.F.Vuillaume, like several other members of the Darche family. He established his own shop in Aix-La-Chapelle around 1840. This excellent violin was made at the peak of his career. It has an excellent tone, full, rich, dark and very playable. Includes a Daniel Bruckner certificate.

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Primo Contavalli *SOLD*

sku Product SKU:  22214

Primo Contavalli studied with his father Luigi, quickly surpassing him. He was immediately successful, winning a silver medal at an important exhibition in Rome in 1920 when he was only 21 years old. Clearly, his finest work is from the 1920’s and 1930’s. This beautiful violin is an excellent example of his best work. Because of its superb tone, this fine violin would be an excellent choice for the professional musician.

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Marco Minnozzi

sku Product SKU:  22421

Marco Minnozzi has been making violins for over 25 years. He trained with Renato Scrollavezza in Parma and has worked with V.Nigogosian, Horacio Pineiro and Rene Morel in New York. His work is sought after all over the World. This beautifully crafted violin has a full, warm tone.

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Jean Laurent Clément

sku Product SKU:  21304

One of the premiere Parisian luthiers and experts of his generation, Clement established his shop in Paris in 1810 and stayed in business for nearly 40 years. Among his employees were a young Georges Chanot, and Thomassin. Based mostly on the model of the great Lupot, Clement won medals at the Paris Exhibitions of 1823 and 1827. This violin is a characteristic example of his work, drawing a sumptuous sound, well balanced across all strings. It is accompanied by a Rampal certificate.

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Emil Hjorth & Sons

sku Product SKU:  23711

The Hjorth family of violin makers established the firm in 1789 and became one of the most important shops in Northern Europe under Emil’s direction. It continued until 2016. Emil Hjorth worked in Vienna, Paris with Bernardel and in London before returning to Copenhagen where he built the Hjorth firm into one of the most important in Europe. It was continued on by his sonsOthon & Knud.

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Charles Buthod *SOLD*

sku Product SKU:  22900

Charles Buthod worked for Vuillaume in Paris before joining Husson in Mirecourt to found a workshop making instruments of exceptionally high quality, with Buthod as director. This violin has an exceptional tone, Strong, rich and complex with lots of color and overtones and very easy to play.

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Hidalgo Moya

sku Product SKU:  23269

After training in Mirecourt, Hidalgo Moya established his workshop in Aylestone, England in 1890. His work has always been highly regarded for his fine craftsmanship and tone qualities.

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Stefano Trabucchi

sku Product SKU:  21359

A  graduate of the Cremona International school of Violin Making (1988) Stefan Trabucchi studied with Massimo Negroni and Claudio Amighetti. Trabucchi then worked with Marco Nolli. Over the years he has won a number of awards and medals at competitions both in Italy and internationally. Over the last several years we have been able to offer sever fine violins and cellos by Stefano and are very enthusiastic about his work.

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Caussin Workshop *SOLD*

sku Product SKU:  18777

The Caussin workshop in Neufchâteau (near Mirecourt) produced excellent instruments from 1830 until the end of the 19th. Century. Over the years we have been able to offer a number of these fine and very interesting instruments.

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Shahram & Saeid Rezvani *SOLD*

sku Product SKU:  22407

High quality smaller violins can sometimes be difficult to find. If you are looking for a fine quality 7/8th size violin, this Rezvani violin would be an excellent choice.

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Branded “E.H.Superior”, Emil Herrmann workshop

sku Product SKU:  12828

Emil Hermann was one of the most important violin dealers in Berlin, later opening a shop in New York in 1924. Among his clients was Jascha Heifetz, who purchased his famous Guarneri Del Gesú in 1922. Among his employees were great luthiers like Simone Sacconi and Mario Frosali. Hermann acquired fine violins from the best luthiers in Germany to sell in his shop. This particular instrument was made for and sold by Hermann, and is in new condition, looking as if it was recently made. It has an exceptional tone, full and powerful.

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François Couturieux

sku Product SKU:  22210

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Ernst Heinrich Roth

sku Product SKU:  19250

The town of Markneukirchen in Saxony has been famous for violin making since the mid 1600s when the first violin making guild was formed. By the late 1800s more than a quarter of a million string instruments a year were being shipped all over the world with almost half the production coming to the U.S. After WWI, production in Markneukirchen dropped significantly but the companies that remained started to concentrate on the making of higher quality instruments. At the beginning of the 1920s. Ernst Heinrich Roth I (1877-1948) took over the operation of the Roth family firm and began to produce violins of exceptional quality. These fine violins were so popular in America that Ernst Heinrich sent his son Ernst Heinrich II (1890-1961) to this country to represent the firm. By the 1930’s, production decreased due to the rise of Nazism and the war. In spite of that, we still see fine Roth violins from the 30’s and even the late 40’s. Under Communist rule, the firm was taken over by the government and their building confiscated. In 1953, the business was re-established in Bubenreuth, West Germany and they began production of high quality violins, violas, cellos and bows.

Today, Ernst Heinrich Roth violins from the 1920’s are in great demand because of their exceptional quality and are increasing in value. Although originally the 1920s Roth violins were made in 13 different quality grades (reproductions of works of famous Cremonese violins by Stradivari, Guarneri and Amati), there is actually little difference in the different models in terms of quality. Some of these violins are labeled Eugen Meinel and are similar to the Roth violins and have comparable value. We have always searched for Roth violins from the 1920s and usually will have several examples available.

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