For sale
Jean “Grand” Adam Cello Bow, Paris circa 1850
£45,000
Jean (Grand) Adam is the best known and most highly valued of the Adam makers. He worked in the prestigious Vuillaume shop, but his bows are most often compared to those of FX Tourte. More details
Nicolas Maire Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1845
£38,000
This is a fine early Maire with wood to wood mounts, a feature much appreciated by hardcore toneheads The adjuster is a later replacement, and the price accordingly very attractive for this maker. More details
Nicolas Maire Violin Bow, Paris circa 1845
£42,500
Nicolas Maire is a highly respected maker, closely associated with Pajeot. His style evolved significantly during his working life – this later example is Maire at his most artistic. More details
Louis Gillet Violin Bow for Lavest, circa 1935
£11,000
Louis Henri Gillet is best known as the maker of many late Sartory bows, but he was a formidable maker in his own right before this collaboration. This bow makes the point perfectly – very elegant work and an almost perfect playing bow. More details
Nürnberger Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1930
£8,500
This is an unusually fine gold and ebony mounted bow from the Nürnberger shop, probably the work of Philipp Paul Nürnberger. It’s a beautiful example of the higher-end production of this workshop. More details
WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, London 1959
£5,000
This is a superb Hill bow in mint condition, date stamped under the frog. It’s an excellent player with a strong yet lively stick. More details
Charles François Gand (Père) Violin, Paris 1843
£52,500
Gand is one of the great names in French lutherie, and the family was active from the late 18th century until the demise of Gand & Berardel in 1901. Gand Père was the best maker of the dynasty, and this is a spectacular example, aesthetically and tonally. More details
A Mirecourt Violin circa 1870
£9,000
This is my favourite kind of violin – what I would call a ‘campfire Strad”, offering an exceptional quality of sound at a very modest price. More details
Paul Bailly Viola, Paris circa 1895
£26,500
Paul Bailly is the only maker from the Vuillaume shop who continued to work well into the 20th century, and his style is more individual and fluid than that of his co-workers like Maucotel, Derazey or Silvestre. This slightly undersized viola is a great example of his work in near-mint condition. More details
Eugène Sartory Violin Bow, Paris circa 1910
£26,500
Eugène Sartory remains the most popular bowmaker amongst professional musicians, and the value of his bows continues to rise at an alarming rate! This is a fine early example with excellent playing qualities. More details
Eugène Sartory Violin Bow, Paris circa 1900
£32,500
This is a unique early Sartory bow in superb condition – it’s a highly collectable bow but it also has a unique clarity of tone. More details
Louis Morizot Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1925
£6,500
We have a number of bows by Louis Morizot, and I rate him very highly as a maker. Although the family name has come to be associated with more mass-produced bows, the father’s work is first rate. More details
Joseph Henry Violin Bow, Paris circa 1860
£28,500
Joseph Henry is in my opinion the greatest maker of the Peccatte school. This bow has a replacement frog and is quite worn, but it’s an exceptional player. More details
N. Lemaire a Paris Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1920
£4,500
N. Lemaire a Paris was a trade name used principally by the firm of Paul Beuscher in Paris. This particular bow was probably made by EF Ouchard but supplied by Cuniot-Hury. All very complicated, but that’s French trade bows for you! More details
Hilaire Darche Violin, Brussels 1905
£18,000
Hilaire Darche came from a large family of violin-makers who all collaborated with or worked for NF Vuillaume in Brussels. He was a leading expert in the field of Italian violins and made many copies, but the majority of his violins are made in the crisp French style with fine materials and a highly reflective red varnish. More details
Edwin Herrmann Violin Bow, Schönlind circa 1930
£1,700
The Herrmann family were prominent bowmakers based in the Vogtland region of Germany dating back to the 18th century. This example by Edwin Herrmann (1893-1972) is very typical. More details
Paul Weidhaas Cello Bow for Victor Fétique circa 1930
£5,000
Paul Weidhaas is one of the most respected of early 20th century German bow-makers. Here we have a fine cello bow made in the French style, and in unusually pristine condition. More details
Günter Paulus Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1980
£1,700
The Paulus family have maintained a very high standard of making over several generations, and I particularly like their bows. This is a lovely example with chased silver mounts. More details
WE Hill & Son Cello Bow, London circa 1920
£16,000
This is a very fine Hill cello bow in silver and tortoiseshell, bearing the maker’s mark of William Johnston. It’s a rare early example in spectacular condition, and commanding a premium price. More details
Bausch Cello Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1920
£4,500
A good cello bow from the Bausch workshop, dating from the early 1900s. More details
Wilhelm Knopf Viola Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1870
£6,000
This is a composite bow – the stick is by Wilhelm Knopf, the button also Knopf and of the period, the frog later. It represents a great opportunity to get a superb player’s bow at a bargain price. More details
Charles Gaillard Violin, Paris 1853
£30,000
French violin-making in the 19th century has been dominated by the Vuillaume shop, but there are numerous makers at this time who produced more beautiful and more individual work. Gaillard is one of these, and this is a great example with a lustrous varnish and an outstanding concert tone. More details
Etienne Pajeot Cello Bow, Mirecourt circa 1830
£47,500
Etienne Pajeot is one of the great early French makers, and his bows are highly sought after for their excellent technical qualities. This is a relatively rare early cello bow in good condition.
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HR Pfretzschner Violin Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1940
£3,250
It’s great to see the violin world finally waking up to the qualities of good German bows. There is absolutely no difference in quality of work or playability between fine French and German bows, and this Pfretzschner proves the point perfectly. Very elegant, made with superb materials, and a joy to use. More details
Peter Goodfellow Violin, Elgin 2003
£9,000
Peter Goodfellow is one of the most respected of contemporary makers – his instruments have won prizes for tone in numerous international competitions. This lovely violin from 2003 is in excellent condition and the sound is tremendous. More details
WE Hill & Sons Violin Bow, London circa 1930
£6,500
This is a very fine Hill bow from between the wars, made by William R Retford as indicated by the two dots on the face plate. Quite a light bow but a very solid player. More details
A Milanese Violin circa 1720, possibly Carlo Rotta
£65,000
This is a fascinating early 18th century Milanese violin by a maker from the circle of Giovanni Grancino. It’s a beautiful looking instrument with some unique points of style, and the sound is everything one might wish for from a fine Italian violin. More details
Charles Maucotel Violin, London 1851
£60,000
Charles Maucotel was the first of the Parisian makers to come to London. A tremendous yet relatively unknown maker, here we have a beautiful del Gesu copy of his in excellent condition, and with a first class sound. More details
Pierre Pacherele Violin, Nice 1849
£55,000
Pierre Pacherele is an outstanding maker with a serious following. He is best known for his association with Pressenda, and his violins are the most successful expression of the collaboration between Paris and Turin. More details
Dominique Peccatte Violin Bow, Paris circa 1840
£110,000
Dominique Peccatte occupies a unique place in the history of bow-making. While Tourte commands the highest prices, Peccatte brought the bow to a state of modernity which remains the archetype to this day. This is an unusually fine and rare example with an open frog and wood-to-wood mounts, but currently sporting a gold copy frog and button. More details
WE Hill & Son Violin Bow, London circa 1935
£4,000
There are few professional players who don’t have a Hill in their case. The firm’s reputation for quality and reliability is well deserved, and the bows carrying the WE Hill & Sons brand are always in demand. More details
Louis Bazin Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1950
£5,000
Bazin is one of the best known names in French bow-making. Like Morizot, the work of the earlier members of the family has been slightly devalued by the later workshop production, but Louis Bazin is a superb maker who is finally getting the recognition he deserves. More details
Célestin Emile Clasquin Violin Bow, Paris circa 1930
£3,750
A lovely French bow from one of the less well known makers of the early 20th century – very similar to EF Ouchard in style, also in feel. Robust yet quick on the draw, and pulling a big rounded tone. More details
Louis Morizot Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1925
£7,000
Louis Morizot’s main claim to fame is his association with Sartory, yet he’s a great maker in his own right. Under his sons, the family name became rather associated with mass production and clunky student bows, but at the time this bow was made, a Morizot was a thing of great refinement and beauty. More details
James & Henry Banks Small Viola, Salisbury circa 1790
£14,500
This is a superb English viola by James & Henry Banks, sons of the great Benjamin Banks. Late 18th century England was really the golden period for smaller violas, and makers such as the Banks, Betts, Powell etc succeeded in making instruments which offer a rich viola sound in a smaller body. More details
Jan Kulik Violin, Prague circa 1850
£18,000
Jan Kulik is perhaps the most refined maker of the Prague school. His violins are very individual, artistic and yet precise. This is a fine example with a superb sound, loosely based on a Gragnani and carrying a Gragnani label. More details
Etienne Pajeot Violin Bow, Paris 1820-1825
£50,000
Etienne Pajeot is one of the great early French makers, and his bows are highly sought after for their excellent technical qualities. This particular bow is an exceptionally well preserved early example and is highly collectable. More details
Frédéric Chaudière Viola, Montpellier 1990
£18,000
Frédéric Chaudière is one of the most respected of contemporary makers, and his name is known internationally. This is a lovely viola from his earlier period – it’s in good condition and the sound is terrific. More details
Richard Grünke Cello Bow, Bubenreuth circa 1965
£7,000
An exceptional gold-mounted bow in unused condition by one of the most esteemed German makers of the 20th century. More details
Gotthard Schuster Cello Bow, Bubenreuth circa 1970
£3,500
Gotthard Schuster (1903-1987) was a very fine craftsman who enjoyed a long association with Rembert Wurlitzer in New York. This bow is a pristine example of his work. More details
Franz Albert Nürnberger Cello Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1910
£14,500
The Nürnberger family have been producing bows of the highest quality since the mid 19th century. Their aesthetic sense and attention to detail is unrivalled. This is a very rare gold and tortoiseshell cello bow by Franz Albert jun. in excellent condition. More details
Garner Wilson Viola Bow, Dingwall circa 1990
£4,500
Garner ‘Tug’ Wilson was one of the last generation of Hill makers, joining the firm in 1960 and working there until 1966 before setting up on his own in Dingwall, Scotland. More details
Richard Grünke Viola Bow, Bubenreuth circa 1965
£6,000
An exceptional gold-mounted viola bow by one of the most esteemed German makers of the 20th century. More details
August Edwin Prager Viola Bow, Schönlind circa 1920
£3,500
Edwin Prager was a less prolific maker than his brother Gustav, but his work is very refined and slightly more sought after. This is a beautiful example in excellent condition, originally sold by Beare & Son More details
Garner Wilson Viola Bow, Dingwall circa 2000
£3,000
Garner Wilson was one of the last of the Hill makers, and his work embodies the Hill tradition. Made with precision, well balanced, utterly reliable … More details
Etienne Laprevotte Violin, Paris 1825
£11,000
Etienne Laprevotte is a rare Parisian maker who brought innovation and refinement to an essentially Mirecourt style. He is well documented in the literature as luthier to the Duke of Bordeaux, and principally known as a maker of fine guitars. This is the only violin I have seen of his, and all the more rare for being in excellent condition. More details
Joseph Couturieux Violin, Paris circa 1840
£22,500
Rather like a number 51 bus, you can wait and wait for a Couturieux, and then two come along at once. Very little is known about this maker who worked briefly for JB Vuillaume – as far as I know he didn’t make instruments under his own label, and we know him mainly from his signature found inside this violin and a viola we also have for sale.
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Joseph Calot Violin, Paris circa 1815
£65,000
Joseph Calot is a fascinating figure in the history of violin-making. He is best known as a Turin maker for his association/collaboration with Pressenda, but he was also an apprentice in the workshop of Nicholas Lupot, and our violin is a bold variation on Lupot’s Paris style. This is a perfectly preserved example of Calot’s Parisian work, showing exceptional ability. More details
Schwartz Frères Violin, Strasbourg 1841
£18,000
Théophile and Frédéric Schwartz ran a very successful business in Strasbourg in the early 19th century. Frédéric was primarily a bowmaker, and his bows are very highly regarded. Théophile focused on instrument-making, also working to a very high standard, but without achieving the same level of recognition. More details
Emile François Ouchard Violin Bow, Mirecourt circa 1925
£6,000
We always try to keep a few bows by Ouchard Père in stock. His work is very dependable and quite undervalued. More details
James Tubbs/WE Hill Violin Bow, London circa 1870
£16,500
A good Tubbs is a thing of wonder, and this one is exceptional. Made for WE Hill and branded to the stick and the frog, this is very fine work from Tubbs’ early period. More details
Dominique Peccatte Violin Bow, Paris circa 1860
£42,500
Dominique Peccatte is widely regarded as the greatest bow-maker of all time – his bows show unusual flair and workmanship, and they are unsurpassed in technical quality. More details
Nicholas Leonard Tourte Violin Bow, Paris circa 1805
£90,000
Tourte is without question the most prestigious name in the history of bow-making. While FX Tourte was largely responsible for the design of bow that we recognize today, his older brother NL or “Tourte l’Ainé” was equally revolutionary. More details
Victor Fétique Violin Bow, Paris circa 1925
£12,500
Victor Fétique set up his workshop in 1913, and ran a busy and successful business for the next 20 years. Although much of the work was carried out by apprentices or outworkers, his own bows such as this one are amongst the best bows of the early 20th century. More details
Rodolfo Fredi Violin, Rome 1907
£65,000
This is an unusually fine violin by Rodolfo Fredi, in near mint condition and with an excellent concert sound. More details
Alfred Acoulon Violin, Mirecourt circa 1910
£9,000
Alfred Acoulon was the foremost luthier employed by the Jerome Thibouville Lamy workshops, and he produced their flagship instruments under the soubriquet “Lutherie Parisienne”. Violins sold under his label were made entirely by him – in 1912 an Alfred Acoulon cost 20 times the price of a Geronimo Barnabetti. More details
Georges Cunault Violin, Paris 1912
£23,500
Georges Cunault was one of the finest French makers of the early 20th century, but his violins are rarely seen outside France. This is a beautiful del Gesu model from 1912 in excellent condition. More details
Frantisek Karel Kriz Viola, Prague 1924
£8,000
FK Križ was one of the most talented Czech makers of the early 20th century, with a rare gift for sound. This del Gesu inspired viola is a great example of his work in near perfect condition. More details
Giuseppe Cavaleri Violin, Genoa circa 1750
£80,000
This is a rare and interesting Genoese violin from the mid 1700s in a wonderful state of preservation and with an outstanding tone. More details
Charles JB Collin-Mézin Violin, Paris 1896
£13,500
Collin-Mézin is one of the best known names in the violin trade. 19th century instruments made by or under the supervision of CH JB Collin-Mézin offer great tone and great workmanship at an affordable price. More details
Albin Hums Cello Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1930
£1,750
This is a fine silver-mounted cello bow by Albin Hums – quite a superior model and in near mint condition. The stick is of round section orange pernambuco of medium stiffness. More details
Laberte Workshop Cello Bow, Mirecourt circa 1920
£5,000
The workshops of Marc Laberte produced a huge range of instruments and bows in the early 20th century – their silver-mounted bows are of consistently high quality. More details
Alfred Joseph Lamy Cello Bow, Paris circa 1890
£25,000
Alfred Joseph Lamy stands slightly in the shadow of his teacher and mentor FN Voirin, but I prefer his work. It’s not quite as clinical, and yet it retains the elegance and finesse which characterize these particular makers. Lamy’s cello bows are particularly fine, with the most beautiful elongated head shape. This is a lovely example in very good condition – deep red round section pernambuco stick, silver and ebony mounts with a plain eye and 3-part adjuster. There’s a small and very neat insert to the bottom of the head on the audience side and some minor wear to the back edge of the frog also on the audience side, otherwise no issues to report. More details
MSV Hardanger Fiddle (standard model)
£2,500
Our Hardanger fiddle is a simplified version of a traditional Hardanger, made with a violin scroll and without ornamentation. The body is copied directly from an award-winning instrument by Sveinung Gyovland. This historic instrument had excellent tone and sustain, so we followed the outline, arching and thicknesses faithfully. The result is an affordable Hardanger with a completely authentic sound.
Our Hardanger has 4 sympathetic strings, tune-able with ease thanks to the incorporation of Wittner geared pegs. Principal strings are traditional gut (normally tuned CGCE).
We generally have one of these instruments in stock – we’re also happy to make them to order with 5 sympathetic strings, dragon’s head scrolls, and/or traditional inlaid tailpieces and fingerboards. More details
Bohemian Small Viola, circa 1900
£5,000
Probably by a member of the Prokop family, this is a late 19th century Czech viola made on a Maggini model. It’s in great condition apart form a few dents and scuffs to the varnish. A very handy size, it has a dark and fruity sound, slightly melancholic, very musical. More details
Alfred Knoll Viola Bow, circa 1970
£2,500
This is an excellent gold-mounted bow by Alfred Knoll – according to Hartmut Knoll it dates from the late 1960s or early 1970s, although it looks brand new. It’s a very attractive bow of octagonal section red pernambuco, and it plays like a dream, not too stiff, not too slappy – silky would be the best word to describe the action and the sound. I would recommend it for an aspiring soloist – it’s clean, lively and very responsive. And it’s in perfect condition. More details
Roger François Lotte Viola Bow, Mirecourt circa 1970
£3,000
This is a lovely bow by Roger Lotte carrying his own later brand. It’s a classic example of his work with a rounded heel, Parisian eye, and a Simon-like backwards curve to the head. The fine red pernambuco is also typical – round in section, with mounts of silver and ebony. The condition is excellent.
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Nicolas Augustin Chappuy Small Viola circa 1770
£12,000
This is a fine 18th century French viola of the “Vieux Paris” school. It has a very credible Guersan label but in fact it’s the work of Nicolas Chappuy showing many of his trademark touches. More details
John Wilkinson Viola, London circa 1930
£15,000
John Wilkinson was a highly talented English maker of the early 20th century, best known for the copies of classical instruments he made for J&A Beare. This viola is a lovely example of his copy style. More details
Albert Nürnberger Viola Bow, Markneukirchen circa 1920
£6,500
This is a very fine Nürnberger family viola bow, probably an early work by Carl Albert Nürnberger. The brand with a * at each end came into use after 1910, yet some archaic aspects of this bow’s construction suggest that it can’t be much later than that. The bow has a silver face and a pinned underslide, and it oozes style. The stick is of beautifully flecked round section pernambuco – mounts are silver and ebony.
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WE Hill & Son Viola Bow, London circa 1950
£8,500
Hill bows have a well deserved reputation for consistency of workmanship and for the quality of the sticks. The finest sticks were branded WE Hill & Sons, and the best of those such as this bow were mounted in gold. More details
Emile Auguste Ouchard Viola Bow, New York circa 1950
£18,000
Emile Auguste Ouchard is one of the most highly valued bow makers of the 20th century. His style is individual and very precise, and the playing qualities of his bows are rarely surpassed. Many professionals use an EA Ouchard. This fine viola bow from his New York period is a very good example, powerful yet responsive and with a huge sound. More details
Albert Caressa Viola, Paris 1922
£22,500
Albert Caressa and Henri Français took over and renamed the firm of Gand & Bernardel in 1901. Français retired in 1920, and for the remainder of his working life Caressa made instruments for the company under his own name. This lovely viola dates from this last period of Caressa’s working life. More details
Joseph Couturieux Viola, Paris circa 1850
£30,000
Joseph Couturieux or Couturieux “Fils” is a little known maker who worked briefly for JB Vuillaume. This beautiful viola is something of an enigma – it has a Vuillaume label, it looks in many ways like a Vuillaume, yet it has an original Couturieux signature. More details
Gustave Bernardel Viola, Paris 1894
£45,000
It would be hard to find a more perfect example of French craftsmanship than this fine viola by Gustave Berarndel. It’s a real collector’s piece too, relatively unused and with a great sound. More details
Claude-Augustin Miremont Viola, Paris 1870
£47,500
For some reason CA Miremont managed to produce instruments of superb tonal quality while those around him sometimes struggled. In particular his violas and cellos are consistently successful and greatly appreciated. More details
Johannes Theodorus Cuypers Viola, Den Haag (The Hague) 1777
£70,000
Johannes Theodorus Cuypers is perhaps the best known and most respected maker of the Dutch School, and there are few non-Italian makers who command such admiration amongst players and experts alike. This is a really fine example from his best period, before he had his rather less dedicated sons to help him! More details
MSV 102 Violin, (Standard Violin) 2014
£1,700
This is one of a number of prototypes we made from Cremonese patterns when looking for a successful model with a short back length. This particular violin is 35.2cm but with a conventional stop length, and is designed with the smaller player in mind. Like all of our MSV violins, it’s made entirely with hand tools in Reghin, Transylvania, and is finished with an Italian Balsamic varnish. More details
MSV 108 Stradivarius Pattern Violin with Antique Finish, 2014
£1,900
This is a good Stradivarius pattern violin made entirely with hand tools by one of our Hungarian makers in Reghin. The varnish is an “antiqued” finish which we have developed in collaboration with a specialist restorer in Budapest – we continue to refine this process and welcome any feedback. The sound is charming and refined, not the loudest violin we’ve produced but smooth and silky in character, unusually responsive, even with a light technique. More details
MSV 137 Stradivarius Pattern Violin (Artist Violin), 2016
£2,700
This is a Stradivarius pattern violin made entirely with hand tools by one of our Hungarian makers in Reghin, and varnished in our shop in Budapest. It has a two-piece back of closely flamed maple and a rich gold/brown Italian balsamic varnish. The sound of this instrument is sweet and clean, articulate yet friendly. As with all our Artist violins, it has great balance and quick response, and is a delight to play. More details
A Mirecourt Violin circa 1920
£3,000
A lovely Mirecourt violin with a stunning one-piece birds-eye maple back – in excellent condition and with a great sound. More details
Andrea Pontedoro Violin, Edinburgh 2007
£6,000
This is a very attractive modern Italian violin by Andrea Pontedoro, made during his period of residence in Edinburgh. Andrea is a fine maker who draws influence from the De Bonis family of his native Calabria. You can read more about him here. The model is individual, the wood is superb, the varnish rich and subtly shaded. More details
A Fine German Violin circa 1900
£7,000
This is a very nice example of a “Großstadtgeige”, literally “big city violin” of the sort produced in Berlin towards the end of the 19th century. The workmanship is excellent and the sound is first class. More details
A Good Mittenwald Violin circa 1780
£7,500
This is a very tidy late 18th century violin, probably Mittenwald by a follower of Bartholomaus Karner, showing all the typical features of South German construction. It has very rounded “Dutch Barn” shoulders, a one-piece bottom rib with inset saddle, inside mould construction with classic Mittenwald inner blocks, and a lovely soft red varnish. More details
Domingos F Capela Violin, Espinho (Portugal) 1967
£8,000
Domingos F Capela was the first member of the Capela dynasty which dominated Portuguese making in the 20th century. He worked very much in the Italian style, with crisp execution and without antiquing, and his violins and those of his sons have always been very popular. This particular violin is quite late, and is modeled on the Paganini “Cannone” by del Gesu. It bears its original certificate from the maker. More details
Charles JB Collin-Mézin 7/8 Violin, 1901
£8,500
Here’s a very fine 7/8 Collin-Mézin with a 4/4 sound! It’s in spectacular condition for its age, and it plays beautifully. More details
Nicolas Mathieu Violin, Mirecourt circa 1800
£9,000
A fine early Mirecourt violin in mint condition and with an excellent sound More details
Mathias Heinicke, Wildstein bei Eger 1931
£11,000
This is a tremendous violin by the Hungarian-born maker Mathias Heinicke. Heinicke always claimed to have trained under Eugenio Degani, though this hasn’t been verified as far as I know. But whatever the truth of it, his violins show an unusual refinement and individuality, and are generally very successful tonally. More details
Carl Zach Violin, Vienna 1896
£12,000
The firm of Carl Zach & Co. was set up by the son of Thomas Zach in 1887. During their brief period of activity they produced some very beautiful instruments on a Stradivari model such as this excellent violin. More details
Thomas Perry Violin, Dublin circa 1780
£12,500
Thomas Perry is the best known name in Irish violin-making. He lived a long life and ran various busy workshops, employing amongst others John Delaney, Richard Tobin, Vincenzo Panormo (briefly), and of course William Wilkinson of Perry & Wilkinson. Here we have a beautifully preserved example with an outstanding sound from around 1780. More details
Alessandro Di Matteo Violin, Cremona 2009
£12,500
Alessandro Di Matteo started out life as a professional violinist, but soon switched his attention to making. Perhaps that explains the unusual tonal refinement of this violin. I’m no big fan of contemporary making, particularly the New Cremonese school, but this violin really stands apart from that trend. It’s lightly built, individual in model, modest in appearance, and very mature and sophisticated in tone. The materials used are first class and the work is superb. More details
Betts Workshop Violin, London circa 1820
£17,500
It’s questionable how many violins Betts himself made, but he employed an illustrious group of makers such as Tobin, Vincenzo and Joseph Panormo, both Bernard Simon Fendts and John Furber, along with other less well known names. Betts instruments tend to exhibit very high standards of craftsmanship and tone. More details
Georges Chanot (II) Violin, London 1861
£32,500
The Chanot family have been hugely influential in the history of violin-making, both in France and in England. Georges Chanot II was sent to England by his father in order to stop him misbehaving in Paris – it definitely worked, and he became a consummate and very successful maker. More details
Paul Bailly Violin, London 1890
£25,000
Paul Bailly is definitely the most interesting maker to have come out of the Vuillaume shop, and this is the second of three violins of his which we will be offering. Bailly was a tireless experimenter – he also moved house a lot, working in Paris, Brussels, London, New York, Reims, Leeds, and finally Paris again! More details
Mario Gadda Violin, Mantua 1979
£26,500
Mario Gadda is one of the best-known names in modern Italian violin-making, and this violin is a great sounding example of his own model in excellent condition. More details
Paul Blanchard Violin, Lyon 1894
£30,000
Paul Blanchard was an outstanding maker who worked for HC Silvestre before setting up his own workshop in Lyon. The violins he made pre-1900 are vey highly regarded, and the del Gesu models particularly so. This violin is a spectacular example in mint condition, with an outstanding concert sound. More details
Charles Adolphe Maucotel Violin, Paris circa 1850
£32,000
“A Vuillaume by any other name would smell as sweet …”! Here we have a superb sounding violin by Vuillaume’s right hand man, Charles Adolphe Maucotel. It is in almost all respects indistinguishable from a Vuillame, and it has a superb concert sound. More details
Alberto Blanchi Violin, Nice 1904
£35,000
Blanchi was perhaps the most refined maker of the Nice school. His ancestry as a violin-maker traces its way back through his father and Pierre Pacherel to Pressenda, and his work represents an excellent synthesis of French precision and Italian flair. More details
Joseph Hel Violin, Lille 1889
£38,500
This is a very fine del Gesu copy by one of the most interesting of late 19th century French makers, Joseph Hel. It’s in unusually fine condition with no cracks or damages. More details
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