Antique Violins- Welcome to Beverley Music Centre
The value of antique violins can vary hugely, from thousands to millions and is often dependent upon several factors, including the luthier who crafted the violin, its age, sound, beauty and unique nature. Amongst the most expensive antique violins in the world are those manufactured by master luthiers Stadivari, Amati and Guarneri, which were crafted hundred of years ago.
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Whilst most violinist believe today that Stradivari’s and Guarneri’s instruments reign supreme, without doubt fashions in music and sound have changed. During certain periods in the past for example, instruments by Nicola Amatic and Jacob Steiner were equally if not more preferred for their subtle sweetness in tone. Furthermore, while the purists would completely disagree, recent studies including blind listening tests and acoustic analysis has suggested that Stradivari’s and Guarneri’s violins are no superior in sound to any other. This however has not prevented collectors from paying huge sums of money for those violins hailed as the best.
Made by expert Italian craftsman Guarneri del Gesù, the world’s most expensive antique violin is thought to have been the ‘Vieuxtemps Guarneri’, which was made in 1741 and achieved an estimated sale price of £12M. it was named after the 19th century musician Henri Vieuxtemps and has been played by some of the greatest virtuoso in the world.
Beverley Musical Instruments have been selling antique violins, violas and double basses for over 30 years. In addition to having a wide portfolio of Italian, German and French violins, we can offer violinists an unrivalled level of service, in terms of instrument knowledge, advice and guidance.
The main antique violins we stock include:
- George Temple
- Mittenwald
- G
- Herrmann Todt
- John K Empsall
- Andreas Kempter
- Neuner and Hornsteiner
- M. Coutrieux
- Jay Haide
- Wolf Bros
- Leon Peroche
Whilst we do not stock any Stradivari, Amati or Guarneri del Gesu violins they are without doubt amongst the finest antique violins in the world and undoubtedly will have inspired many of the luthiers violins we do stock ourselves.
Stradivari Violins
Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737), the well-known master luthier and one of the leading artisans in his field, is believed to have crafted in excess of 1,000 violins, violas, cellos and haps in his home town of
Whilst the debate still continues as to who has created the finest ever violins, many experts violinists believe that Stradivari’s instruments were and still are amongst the greatest. There is arguably only one other maker, Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu, who commands the same level of admiration and respect amongst players, instrument enthusiasts and historians.
Over the years, many famous violinists, cellists and orchestra’s have used Stradivari instruments for their work including:
- Mstislav Rostropovich (Duport Stradivarius)
- Yo-Yo Ma (Davidov Stradivarius)
- Itzhak Periman (Soil Stradivarius)
- Julian Lloyd Webber (Barjansky Stradivarius)
- Gil Sham (Countess Polignac Stradivarius)
In June 2011, the famous ‘Lady Blunt’ Stradivarius violin of 1721 was sold to a private buyer for over $10 million dollars by online auction house Tarisio. It is believed by violin experts to be the greatest and most pristine Stradivarius violin still in circulation and continues to set a new record sale price every time it has come up for sale. All proceeds went to the victims of the Japan Earthquake.
Amati Violins
Born around 1505, Andrea Amati of
The oldest surviving instruments of Andrea Amati date from 1564. Commission by Charles IX of
Andrea’s two sons, Antonio and Girolamo continued the Cremonese family tradition, but also challenged the norm by producing new innovative designs, including perfecting the shape of the f-holes. Known as ‘The Brothers Amati’, the Amati’s were actually half brothers, pioneering their skills in both violin and viola making.
Born in 1596, Nicola Amati was the son of Girolamo and played a key role in the evolution of the violin. In addition to developing designs of violins that could produce greater power of tone, he produced a wider range of models known as the “Grand Amati” which have since become very sought after.
Nicola was perhaps most well respected and known for the great Luthiers that he taught and nurtured to greater success, including the world famous Antonio Stradivari and Andrew Guarneri, both of who were his apprentices.
Guarneri Violins
The Guarneri family were a distinguished group of luthiers that emerged from
The first violin maker was Andrew Guarneri served his apprenticeship and first made his name whilst working for the Amatic workshop during the early 1600’s. His grandson, Bartolomeo Guiseppe (better known as Joseph Guarneri del Gesu) became by far the best known and well respected member of the Guarneri dynasty.
Guiseppe was known in short as del Gesu (of Jesus) because his violin labels always incorporated the letters I.H.S (iota-eta-sugma), a greek acronym for Jesus Chris and a Roman cross. What made del Gesu stand out from the rest of the family and other violinmakers was that he deviated from tradition and produced violin instruments that had a unique style and sound. Such is the success and respect that Joseph Guarneri del Gesu holds, many famous violinists have either owned or performed with his instruments:
- Niccolo Paganini (Cannone Guarnerius)
- Yehudi Menuhin (Lord
- Rachel Barton
- Sarah Chang
- Arthur Grumiaux
- Michael Rabin
- Isaac Stern
- Itzhak Perlman
Many of the world’s leading violinists prefer Del Gesus violins over Stradivari because they tend to be stronger from 315 Hz up to 1.25 kHz. Stradivaria violins on average are stronger in the 200 Hz and 250 Hz bands and above 1.6 kHz. Thee subtle differences have led experts to believe that Del Gesus violins provide a strong and more brilliant sound.
Contact Beverley Music Centre
01482 881584