Fine & Rare Instruments
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$50,000 - $200,000 Fine & Rare Instruments
$50,000 - $200,000 Fine & Rare Instruments
Please contact our shop for current availability on instruments such as those made by: Antonio Stradivari, Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu, J.B. Guadagnini, Amati, Nicolas Lupot, J.B. Vuillaume, Tononi, Ruggeri, Rogeri, Scarampella and more.
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Nicolas Lupot, Paris, France 1822
A Definitive Masterpiece on the market for the first time in almost 70 years Featured Instrument Nicolas Lupot (b.1758, d.1824) is referred to as the “French Stradivari”. Besides the stylistic similarities and the fact that Lupot took his inspiration directly from Stradivari’s work, the moniker also refers to the unparalleled level of quality reached by any subsequent French maker. Lupot remains unsurpassed as the greatest French Luthier, even above Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume. From Childhood, he studied with his father, François Lupot, court violinmaker to the Duke of Württemburg. In 1794, during one of the most dynamic periods in the history of France, Lupot moved to Paris to work for renowned maker, François Pique, before founding his own atelier in 1798. He quickly established himself as one of the greatest luthiers, receiving both imperial and royal appointments during the time of Napoleon and then with the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy. He was appointed violin maker to the king in 1815 and to then to the Royal School of Music in 1816. His successors were many of the most significant makers in the tradition of French violinmaking, including Gand and Bernardel and his influence on Vuillaume is undeniable. Lupot’s instruments were favored by some of the world’s greatest players, including virtuoso and composer Louis Spohr. This violin was featured in a 1947 article of the The Strad magazine wherein it is referred to as one of Lupot’s “finest Stradivari copies”. The violin will be sold with a copy of that issue as well as certificates from Reuning & Son, William Lewis & Son and a written dendrochronology report by Peter Ratcliff. This dendrochronology report references a cross-match with, among other instruments by Lupot made from the same timber, an important 1816 Lupot violin which is in the Ashmolean Museum where the famous “Messiah” Stradivarius is displayed. The provenance of this instrument dates back to the turn of the last century when it was sold to a British amateur by Hart & Sons in London before being purchased by the concertmaster of an important orchestra. More recently, this violin has added another extraordinary chapter in its life as it was stolen and had been missing for more than twenty years before mysteriously resurfacing. One or more articles pertaining to this anecdote will be included with this sale. This specimen has not been on the market for over 65 years. It has had only one rightful owner during that time, a professional violinist who graduated from Juilliard with her undergraduate and master’s degrees. It was purchased by her mother when she was still a child. This is a world class soloist’s instrument which is tonally superb in every way. This violin is fully characteristic of Lupot’s best work and is undisputedly one of the greatest French violins ever made. It is a rare treasure, the likes of which are found perhaps only once in a lifetime. For more information on this maker, please visit our featured article, "Nicolas Lupot" (coming soon)... Available Now |
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Carlo Tononi, Bolgna, Italy 1721
Carlo Tononi
1721
1721
“Born 1675. Son of Felice. Worked at Bologna, 1695-1720 and at Venice until 1724. Died 1730. . . Splendidly sonorous and noble tone, placing, in penetrative intensity, many others (usually considered to be securely entrenched in this particular quality), into a comparative by-path.” (Universal Dictionary of Violin and Bow Makers)
SOLD
Francesco Ruggeri 1672
Francesco Ruggeri, Cremona, Italy 1672
"Born in Cremona in 1645 and died in 1700. He was a pupil of Nicolo Amati. Characterful individual instruments with relatively long centre bouts and a slightly higher arching than was usual with Nicolo Amati. His violins have a sweet, carrying tone." (Encyclopedia of Violin Makers, Karel Jalovec)
SOLD
"Born in Cremona in 1645 and died in 1700. He was a pupil of Nicolo Amati. Characterful individual instruments with relatively long centre bouts and a slightly higher arching than was usual with Nicolo Amati. His violins have a sweet, carrying tone." (Encyclopedia of Violin Makers, Karel Jalovec)
SOLD
G.B Rugeri 1695
G.B Ruggeri, Cremona, Italy 1695
"Giacinto (Giovanni Battista), born in Cremona in 1666 and died in 1698. Son and pupil of Francesco R., with whom he shares much of his style, without quite emulating him. Gacintos model is slightly higher than that of his father, the scrolls are large and beautiful, the f-holes longer and more upright, the varn. of good consistency, but brown and less beautiful. The tone of his instruments is equally sweet and carrying." (Encyclopedia of Violin Makers, Karel Jalovec)
SOLD
"Giacinto (Giovanni Battista), born in Cremona in 1666 and died in 1698. Son and pupil of Francesco R., with whom he shares much of his style, without quite emulating him. Gacintos model is slightly higher than that of his father, the scrolls are large and beautiful, the f-holes longer and more upright, the varn. of good consistency, but brown and less beautiful. The tone of his instruments is equally sweet and carrying." (Encyclopedia of Violin Makers, Karel Jalovec)
SOLD
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J. A. Gagliano, Naples, Italy 1793
Made by Antonio Gagliano and his brother Giuseppe Gagliano, this violin has a beautifully flamed back and is in mint condition. SOLD |
1793 J.A. Gagliano
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J. F. Pressenda, Turin, Italy 1840
A student of Lorenzo Storioni, Pressenda was considered to be among the best violin makers in Turin. His craftsmanship is considered by many to be superior to that of his teacher, Lorenzo Storioni. SOLD |
1840 J. F. Pressenda
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