18th century Italian violin, Antonio Bagatella circle, c1780

The warm and mellow voice of this 18th century Italian violin suitable for large-handed players (neck stop 13.5 mm, body stop 20.3 cm, string length 34.1 cm) has a radiance and warmth which assuredly confirm the legendary reputation which fine stringed instruments from Italy have earned over the course of several centuries. This violin was crafted in the late 18th century, probably in Padova (Padua). It reflects the influence of Antonio Bagatella, a master whose textbook Regole per la costruzione de violini provided the first model based on a mathematic study of historic Italian masterpieces, thus receiving great acclaim amongst craftsmen and academia. A flat and petite model served as the template for this Italian violin, which can attribute its unmistakable personality and appearance not only to its expressively carved sound holes, but to its beautifully flamed one-piece maple back. Luminous golden-brown varnish clearly but subtly flatters the lovely and regular lines of the moderate- to wide-grained spruce used for the top. Traces of use and some visible but uncritical restorations to the body, ribs, peg box and scroll, which is grafted, are not unusual for a well-played Italian violin of the 18th century. It has been painstakingly set up at our workshop and made ready to play.

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