Charles Adolphe Gand *SOLD*

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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Paul Blanchard *SOLD*

sku Product SKU:  19070

We are pleased to offer this superb violin by Paul Blanchard of Lyon, one of the great 19th century violin makers. Born in Mirecourt, the cradle of French violin making, he began his studies at the age of 15. He subsequently trained with and worked for some of France’s most prominent luthiers, including Darte and Silvestre. At the fresh age of 19 he established his own shop in Lyon, where he had a long and storied career. The most prominent instrument maker in Lyon during his lifetime, he was appointed official luthier to the Lyon Conservatory, the Lyon theaters, and the Lyon orchestra. Made at the height of his ability, this violin is of luminous tonewood dressed in a rich red varnish. It has a vibrant tone and is in excellent condition. It is accompanied by a Moennig certificate.

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Luigi Rovatti

sku Product SKU:  17733

This violin has a brilliant, responsive tone. The maker emigrated to Argentina from Italy, and may have studied with Joseph and/or Enrico Rocca.

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Labeled Vuillaume

sku Product SKU:  17218

Possibly by George Gemunder

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Mario Frosali

sku Product SKU:  19227

Trained originally as a violinist, Frosali established as a violinmaker in Florence in 1932 having studied with Giuseppe Scarampella. Emigrating to America, he worked first in New York where he worked for Emil Herrmann. While there he worked alongside Simone Sacconi. He moved to Los Angeles in 1939 working at Wurlitzer in their violin department, establishing his own shop in 1954. In 1949 he was the only American maker to win an award at a major competition in the Hague.  He was enormously successful and his instruments were (and still are) in great demand both in the Los Angeles area as well as here in the Bay Area.

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Emile Germain

sku Product SKU:  20110

We are especially pleased to be able to offer these two superb examples of the work of Emile Germain. Born in 1853, Emile trained first in Mirecourt (as did almost all Parisian makers) and then with his father in Paris. He took over his business in 1870 and continues on until 1933. He won a medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900. These two wonderful violins are in unusually fine condition made from the very finest materials.

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Charles Résuche *SOLD*

sku Product SKU:  13157

Résuche worked for famous shops both in Paris (Gand & Bernardel) and Lyon (Diter) before establishing his own shop in Bordeaux. This beautifully made violin has a full, rich tone.

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Emile Boulangeot

sku Product SKU:  20716

Boulangeot worked for some of the finest shops in France, including an apprenticeship to Emile Laurent in 1890, employment with Gustave Bernardel from 1893 and Caressa & Francais until 1909. After taking over the Blanchard shop in Lyons, he also took over the prestigious appointment as luthier to the Lyons Conservatory. This violin was made during the time he was the official luthier to the famous conservatory, and is a classic example of his beautiful wood selection and elegant workmanship. The tone is sweet and colorful, powerful enough for any professional violinist.

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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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Silvio Levaggi

sku Product SKU:  21190

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 then worked in Genoa with Carlson-Cacciatori-Neumann. He has won countless international prizes over the course of his career, and continues to perfect his craft. This violin 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 crisp, full tone that will mature very nicely.

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Louis Nicolas Vissenaire *SOLD*

sku Product SKU:  21274

The Vissenaire family of makers established in 1823 with Louis I. Louis Nicolas started as a professional violinist and took over his father's business with his brother in 1880. His work is highly regarded for exceptional workmanship and excellent tone quality.

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Old French Labeled Paul Bailly

sku Product SKU:  14280

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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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French labeled Jacques Boquay

sku Product SKU:  12161

Boquay along with Claude Pierray was the premiere early Parisian maker. Built on the grand Amati pattern, this violin has a nice full, rich tone.

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J. Michael Fischer

sku Product SKU:  21791

After graduating from the violin making school in Mittenwald, Michael Fischer worked for Dietrich Kessler and Charles Beare in London doing restorations of fine old master instruments. He soon emigrated to America working with Hans Weisshaar in Los Angeles before setting up his own shop in 1984. He has become renowned for his reproductions of the great masters having made over 300 replications of specific master instruments. This violin is an excellent reproduction of a violin by Carlo Ferdinando Landolphi.

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Old English *SOLD*

sku Product SKU:  14354

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Wilhelm Kapfhammer

sku Product SKU:  21804

After graduating from the Mittenwald violin making school, Kapfhammer came to the U.S., teaching at the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City. There he trained some of the most important contemporary makers. The tone of this violin is brilliant, responsive with easy playability

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Alfio Batelli *SOLD*

sku Product SKU:  22018

After training with de Zorzi in Florence, Batelli set up his own shop there. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1947 stopping briefly in Chicago then on to Los Angeles to work with Hans Weisshaar for 13 years. Many of the best makers on the West Coast got excellent training there. This exceptional violin is one of the finest violins by Batelli we’ve seen.

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Riccardo Bergonzi

sku Product SKU:  22105

Riccardo Bergonzi was only twelve when he started making violins. He graduated from the Cremona violin making school in 1979 with highest honors having worked with Stefano Conia among others, He has been working continuously in his own workshop for over thirty years and has won numerous awards and medals for his exceptionally fine work. We’ve sold a number of his fine instruments over the years and are especially happy to offer this exceptionally fine violin.

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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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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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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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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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Neil Kristof Ertz

sku Product SKU:  22571

Neil Ertz was born in Scotland in 1966. He studied at the Newark School of Violin Making and after graduation worked at a number of important violin shops in Holland, France and Germany. In '92 he returned to England to work with Roger Hargrave making detailed copies of the work of the great classic makers. He moved to Cambridge in 1997 and then to Edinburgh in 2009. Sadly Neil passed away in 2016 at the age of only 50.This beautifully crafted violin is based on the work of Antonio Stradivari.

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