Cesare Castelli, Italian violin no. 66, 1954 (certificate Eric Blot)

Perfectly preserved Italian violin by Cesare Castelli from 1954. Wonderful Italian tonewoods, orange-brown oil varnish, bright sound rich in overtones.

Cesare Castelli (1912-2003) was a prolific master and exponent of the highly interesting local violin-making tradition in the Marche region of central Italy. The reason why his instruments enjoy an excellent reputation among professional musicians all over the world is immediately apparent from the violin no. 66 from 1954 offered here.

Made from tonewoods of rare musical and aesthetic quality, such as those harvested in the forests of the southern mountains on the border between Marche and Abruzzo, this Cesare Castelli violin leaves no doubt at first glance as to its status as a first-class instrument. The delicate, narrow flaming of the two-piece maple back under the orange-brown oil varnish underlines the violin's individual profile, which is characterized by its fine workmanship in all details - such as the purfling which extends far into the corners and the pretty scroll. This character corresponds perfectly to the bright, overtone-rich sound, which fulfills high musical demands and is recommended for solo playing with its brilliance. Within Cesare Castelli's oeuvre, which includes more than two hundred violins, over 70 violas, 30 cellos and several complete quartets, his No. 66 represents the first half of his work biography and reveals the exceptionally talented and demanding "liutaio" that Castelli has been from the very beginning. Several awards, including a gold medal in Bagnacavallo for a string quartet, document the professional recognition of his work. The authenticity of the violin on offer here is proven by its original label in the body and a certificate from the renowned Cremonese expert Eric Blot, which is included in the price.

Cesare Castelli, born in Ascoli Piceno in 1912, attended violin making courses at the Scuola di Arti e Mestieri in Ascoli Piceno from 1940 after completing an apprenticeship as a carpenter and initial self-taught studies, and perfected his craft with several northern Italian masters, including Giuseppe Ornati in Milan. Cesare Castelli is a representative of the somewhat forgotten but highly significant violin-making tradition of the Marche region, whose forests in the southern mountains on the border with Abruzzo provide excellent tonewood. Cesare Castelli, whose son Piero continues the regional tradition of the 'liuteria', made over two hundred violins, over 70 violas, 30 cellos and several complete quartets between the 1950s and 1970s. Many of his instruments ended up in the hands of members of major international orchestras (USA, England, Sweden). Numerous prizes in competitions testify to the great reputation that Cesare Castelli's instruments enjoyed in Italy in his day, including a gold medal for a quartet in Bagnacavallo in 1980.

• Cesare Castelli, violin no. 66 from 1954
• Rare instrument from the regional tradition of the Marche region
• Bright sound rich in overtones with a brilliant character
• Finest craftsmanship
• Original label and certificate from E. Blot

Our trade-in guarantee, free shipping and 30-day return policy, as well as the Eric Blot certificate are included in the price; a new certificate to confirm the value is available on request.