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Ifshin Rare & Fine Instruments

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Silvio Levaggi
23566

One of the finest luthiers working in Cremona today, Levaggi’s instruments are respected for their perfect workmanship and elegant tonal qualities. Before setting up his own workshop in the historic center of Cremona in 2001, he graduated from the Cremona School of Lutherie in 1984 where he studied with Vincenzo Bissolotti, among others. and worked in Genoa with Carlson-Cacciatori-Neumann’s. He has won countless international prizes over the course of his career, and continues to perfect his craft. This cello was made with special wood from Jay Ifshin’s large stock, and was hand selected by Ifshin and Levaggi for aesthetic beauty and sonorous qualities. It has a powerful tone, rich with overtones.

Morgan Andersen
21296

After winning a number of gold medals in International bow making competitions, Morgan Andersen has become one of the most important bow makers of his generation.

Albert Nürnberger
23890

The Nürnberger dynasty of bow makers is perhaps the most important in the history of German bow makers. This beautiful and elegant bow dates from around 1910 under the direction of Franz Albert (II) considered one of the finest of all German makers.

Carlos Funes Vitanza
23934

Carlos was born In Honduras and moved as a child to Albany California in 1976. He studied at the violin making school in Cremona graduating in 1983 and stayed on for another three years working with some of the best Cremonese masters. He returned to the Bay Area and began working with Rolland Feller in San Francisco. He has continued making fine instruments in his own workshop and has gained the respect of Bay Area musicians.

Charles Adolphe Gand
23810

Paris in the 19th. century was truly the center of the musical world. And of course, it was also the home of the finest and most important violin dealers and makers of that era. Among the most distinguished of these were the members of the Gand family. The senior member of the Gand dynasty was Charles Michel (1748-1820) and it continued on for three generations. Charles Adolphe worked with brother Eugène, forming “Gand Frères”. They won first prize at the Paris Exhibition of 1855. Charles Adolphe was made Chavalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 1862. Violins from the Gand family and especially Gand Frères are among the most prized and sought after of the classic 19th. century Parisian violins.

Joseph Arthur Vigneron
8282

Kown as "Vigneron Pére", Joseph Arthur Vigneron was one of the most important and respected Parisian bow makers of the later 19th century. Until 1872, he was the pupil and assistant of C.N. Husson. He then worked with J.J. Martin and from 1880 worked with Gand and Bernardel. He opened his own shop in 1888. His bows are always in demand and we are delighted to offer this fine example of his work. This would be an excellent choice for a professional musician who is looking for a wonderful responsive bow with outstanding playing qualities.

John Dalley *SOLD*
23797

John Dalley was for many years a violinist in the world-renowned Guarneri quartet. He also was a skilled bow maker. His bows are highly respected especially by musicians here in the Bay Area.

John Norwood Lee
23820

John Norwood Lee began his career as a bow maker in 1977 at Bein & Fushi in Chicago.  He stayed on, learning and perfecting his craft for many years. He set up his own shop in the same historic building on South Michigan Avenue and has gone on to be recognized as one of the top makers in this country.

Jacques Poullot
9714

Jacques Poullot studied bow making in Mirecourt with the great Bernard Ouchard along side many of the finest young French bow makers, graduating in 1979. Since then he has won numerous medals and awards for his fine bows. We are always pleased to be able to offer his beautiful work.

Nicolaus Uhlen
23788

Nicolaus Uhlen was born and trained in Germany. He came to the U.S. in the mid 1880’s, working first in New York, then moving to Chicago in 1893. At that time there were many fine violin makers in Chicago, mostly immigrants from Germany and Eastern Europe.

Neuner & Hornsteiner
23812

The firm of Neuner & Hornsteiner was begun at the beginning of the 19th century by Mathias Neuner and Cantius Hornsteiner, continuing through much of the 20th century.  By the latter 19th century it had grown to become one of the largest and most respected firms in Germany.

Albert Hildebrandt
19960

We don’t know a great deal about Albert Hildebrandt, but this excellent violin demonstrates that he was a highly skilled maker. He was active as both a maker and dealer in Baltimore through the 1920’s.

Stanley Keith *SOLD*
23692

Around 1925, Stanley Keith started out on his own in Rochester NY primarily doing repairs before moving to Fresno in the early 1950’s. He was highly respected for the quality of his workmanship.

Natale Carletti
23821

Although born into a family of violin makers, Natale Carletti was initially a cellist who studied at the Bologna Conservatory. He started working with his father Carlo in 1918 and continued in his workshop along with his brother Nullo, taking over in 1941 upon Carlo’s death. Natale specialized in cellos making over 200 during his sixty year career. This wonderful cello is a real joy to play. The tone is responsive and powerful with an intriguing brilliance. This would be wonderful cello for a top professional.

Vigneron Père *SOLD*
23289

A prolific maker of superb quality bows, Vigneron apprenticed with Claude Nicolas Husson before working with Jean Joseph Martin. This early training from some of the finest archetiers in France helped propel his career. From about 1880 he worked for the important firm, Gand & Bernardel Frers, further developing his career. He set up on his own around 1888. This cello bow is an exceptional example of his work. It perfectly matches both strength and agility.

Victor Fetique *SOLD*
23847

Victor Fetique was an exceptionally talented bowmaker, and winner of the coveted prize, “One of the Best Crafsmen of France”.  Originally from Mirecourt, he apprenticed with the Husson family and Charles Nicolas Bazin, before working with the newly opened Parisian firm, Caressa & Francais, in 1901.  While there he worked side by side with another great archetier, Claude Thomassin.  By 1913 he set up his own shop and before long started supplying large numbers of bows to the musical community of Paris, and beyond.  

His best work was made personally, with the assistance of great makers such as his younger brother, Jules Fetique.  He trained or hired bowmakers such as his son, Marcel Fetique, Paul Weidhaas, Louis Morizot Sr., and Andre Richaume, among others.   Because of his dependable quality, his bows are in high demand by top level musicians.  

His bows are characterized by their unwavering strength and flexibility, at once clear in tone and rich with color.  They are consistently easy to play, handling the versatile technical demands of concert musicians. We are delighted to have an unusually large selection of his bows, some of which are in mint condition with the original wrapping.  They exemplify all the playing qualities that have given Victor Fetique his great reputation.   

Florian Schneidt
23770

Born in Munich, Florian studied viola performance and played in orchestras in the Netherlands. He studied bow making in the UK with several master makers. He has since moved to Boston where he continues to work with several important makers.

K.A.Gutter *SOLD*
19974

Kurt Arno Gutter studied with O.B.Heinel in Markneukirchen, then worked in Berlin with Glaesel and back in Markneukirchen with H.T.Heberlein before opening his own workshop a

G.A.Pfretzschner labeled Paolo Fiorini
23622

Violins labeled “Paolo Fiorini” were of high quality generally from the 1920’s, made in Markneukirchen. These “Art Violins” were among the best being made in Germany at that time. In fact, ads from the U.S. distributers sometimes claimed them to have been made in Italy.

G.A.Pfretzschner labeled Carlo Micelli "Master Art" *SOLD*
23654

At the beginning of the 20th. century, some especially fine violins were made in Germany, especially in Markneukirchen. Many of these were often referred to as “Art Violins” because of their beauty and quality. The violins labeled “Carlo Micelli” were sought after, especially in this country. The label of this violin is hand inscribed “Master Art” indicating that it is of exceptional quality. Tonally, this violin is truly exceptional, offering a lot of violin for the money.