A MAGNIFICENT VIOLIN BY GUARNERI DEL GESU ca.1734- 40! EXCELLENT STATE OF PRESERVATION, SOLOIST QUALITY TONE!! Start Price USD 20,000,001.00 Current Price USD 20,000,001.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, November 26, 2008 End Time Friday, December 05, 2008 Location Brewton, AL See more about 'A MAGNIFICENT VIOLIN BY GUARNERI DEL GESU ca.1734- 40!' Description A very fine unlabeled violin by Joseph Guarneri del Gesu, Cremona, Italy, circa 1734 -1740. The top plate of spruce with straight, evenly spaced, annular growth rings. Cloudy stain lines are visible through the top varnish and surface preparation, especially in the lower part of the belly. According to documented historical evidence these stain lines can be seen in a number of instruments known to have been made by Guarneri del Gesu. The position of the stain lines in the top plates of these instruments can (and do) vary according to whether the material came from the same billet, or if one half came from an entirely different log. In certain violins the stain line (or lines) generally run the length of the top plate on either or both sides of the fingerboard; sometimes passing right through the openings of the sound holes. In some they appear closer towards the center joint. In others they can be seen nearer to the edges of the lower bouts and are not so visible (if at all) in the more narrow upper bouts. The stain lines also vary in width and level of visibility. Well informed connoisseurs in times past wrote that the best way to view the stains, if they are very faint. is to turn the instrument away from the light, as in, with one's back facing towards a window. The ensuing play of light and shadow on the belly will help to show these unique features much better. A very interesting observation, I might add. The beautiful one piece maple back of medium to narrow curl running straight across. The ribs of fainter narrow curl.  (The lower bout ribs bear an ebony insert centered on the tail pin.) The (original) neck and head of wood similar to the back. The much worn, highly transparent, red / orange top varnish is laid over a very thick surface preparation of a golden yellow color which remarkably allows every nuance and detail of the wood grain to be clearly seen. Back length: 356 mm. Condition: Excellent overall, but with considerable wear to the top plate under the bridge feet.  Not a single crack to be found, anywhere.  (In old, highly worn, leather covered case with bow).  Known owners: For many, years the property of Ms. N. Cole, of Illinois, amateur violinist. I personally guarantee this magnificent (unlabeled) Italian violin to be the authentic work of Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu, Cremona, circa 1734-1740. Options for shipping / pickup are at the discretion and direction of buyer, only. John A. Thornton Brewton, Al.   THE 1741 DEL GESU, ABOVE RIGHT, HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BY JED MURPHY, ATELIER VIOLINS, BUSHEY, UK.  www.atelierviolins.com    ANYONE WITH TWO (GOOD) EYES CAN CLEARLY SEE THAT MY UNLABELED "SOI~DISANT" GUARNERI DEL GESU [LEFT] IS EVEN FINER THAN THE VIOLIN [RIGHT] WHICH HAS LONG BEEN (ERRONEOUSLY) CERTIFIED TO BE A "DEL GESU". THE 'DIFFERENCES"  SEEN IN THE WORKMANSHIP AND QUALITY OF VARNISH IS MERELY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WORK OF JOSEPH ANTONIO GUARNERI (DEL GESU) [LEFT] AND HIS MUCH YOUNGER RELATIVE, BARTOLOMEO GIUSEPPE GUARNERI [RIGHT]. THIS MAKER IS MERELY ONE OF THE GRANDSON'S OF ANDREA GUARNERI WHO HAD THE GOOD SENSE TO JOIN HIMSELF WITH THE GREATEST MAKER OF THE FAMILY (GIUSEPPE DEL JESU) AND THEREBY PROCEEDED TO  CREATE SOME OUTSTANDING INSTRUMENTS OF HIS OWN: MANY OF WHICH BEAR A STRONG RESEMBLENCE TO HIS MASTER'S WORK!!  IS THERE ANYTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN?!! I THINK NOT! THE ACTUAL (BUT SPARSELY) DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF "GIUSEPPE DEL JESU" -WHO WAS ORIGINALLY "DESIGNATED" AS SUCH BY DISCERNING, HIGHLY  KNOWLEDGEABLE ITALIAN CONNOISSEURS AND COLLECTORS OF THE 18TH CENTURY CAME TO  LIGHT LONG BEFORE W. E HILL (OR HIS SONS) WERE EVEN BORN!!  "SOMEBODY" MAY HAVE DRANK TOO MUCH LIQUOR BUT IT WASN'T GUARNERI DEL JESU!! ACCORDING TO RECENT (VIOLIN RELATED) NEWS MEDIA HYPE A VIOLIN WHICH HAS (ALSO) LONG BEEN (ERRONEOUSLY) CERTIFIED TO BE A 1741 GUARNERI DEL GESU, KNOWN AS THE EX."VIEUXTEMPS", IS NOW BACK ON THE MARKET WITH THE ASKING PRICE (AS SET BY THE OWNER) OF $20,000,000.00 (TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS). WELL SINCE MY FIDDLE CERTAINLY LOOKS EVEN FINER THAN THE 1741 EX-"VIEUXTEMPS" AND MY OTHER (NOW CERTIFIED) 1741 (REAL) GUARNERI DEL GESU, AS WELL AS THE 1740 EX-"YSAYE" ILLUSTRATED ABOVE (courtesy www.tarisio.com ) THEN I THINK THE UNLABELED ONE (OFFERED FOR SALE HERE) SHOULD BE WORTH AT LEAST AS MUCH AS THE EX - "VUIEXTEMPS". -- SO I DECIDED TO "UP THE ANTE", EVER SO SLIGHTLY.  THUS FAR, SINCE THE TIMES OF HORACE PETHERICK AND KAREL JALOVEC (BOTH HIGHLY KNOWLEDGEABLE  CONNOISSUERS AND COMPETENT EXPERTS WITH PUBLISHED WORKS TO THEIR CREDIT) NO ONE HAS EVER HAD THE COURAGE TO TAKE A FIRM STANCE AND SAY "SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE PICTURE" WHEN IT COMES TO DISCERNING THE INSTRUMENTS OF THE GUARNERI FAMILY. WELL FOLKS:  I DO IN FACT HAVE THE COURAGE TO SAY SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG AND I'VE GOT MORE THAN ENOUGH PROOF! PART OF IT IS NOW RIGHT BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES! JOHN A. THORNTON BREWTON, AL. Check out my other items! I ALSO HAVE OTHER FINE VIOLINS FOR SALE HERE:      www.auctionzz.com       A GREAT NEW PLACE TO SELL YOUR ITEMS! THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! Place a Bid!