VIOLIN Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri

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This 1725 violin was stored in my mothers attic from approx. 1939 to 2006. A violin maker looked it over and said it needed help. The hair on the bow was attacked by âeoemitesâe. The support under the bridge must be replaced, the bridge has a slight curve to it, and a crack developed due to the support falling out and the string tension not being released when stored. This violin has a chin rest made in Czechoslovakia. This was put on by my grandfather since the original violin was not made with a chin rest. He was from Hungary but moved to Czechoslovakia w my mother was born.The case is that of wood, but also in need of repair. This is a very old violin that the right person will cherish for what it is and the history behind it, or have it restored. It dos play but need that support to get the true tone. The violin maker told me he could make and install a new one for around $100.My main interest is to make it playable for my daughter who wants to play violin. The violin maker suggested I put it up for bid on Ebay and buy my daughter a new violin since this one is rather fragile and of course vintage.NOTE: INFORMATION FOUNDâe¦Joseph Guarnerius del GesuThe most illustrious member of this famous family of violin makers was Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri (Cremona, Italy, 1698-1744), the fifth and last member of the family, grandson of Andrea, son of Giuseppe Giovanni Battista. He is more familiarly known as Joseph Guarnerius del Gesu. Guarnerius is the Latin form of the family name and Joseph the Hebrew form of Giuseppe. The addition of "del Gesu" to the name and the Greek abbreviation for Jesus ( IHS ) beneath a cross on the labels indicate veneration for the Holy Name.The outline of his violins, with slight modifications, is founded on instruments of Antonio Stradivari. Modeling of the back and table are noticeably flattened, seemingly inspired by Maggini. The F holes are of Stradivari form but are usually elongated, more open, and less refined. The carefully applied oil varnish is soft in quality and of light texture, with the color varying between pale orange and orange-brown with, occasionally, a reddish tint. The length of the body is usually 13 7/8", sometimes 1/16" less.The estimate of his total production is not more than 250 violins; t is no positive evidence that he made instruments in any other form, although some violas and at least one violoncello are attributed to him. Approximately 150 violins are known to exist.Stradivari and Guarnerius are ranked as the greatest of violin makers, and some fine violinists prefer the instruments of Joseph Guarnerius del Gesu to those of Stradivari.Typical label: Joseph Guarnerius fecit Cremonae anno 1727 IHSNOTE: The label looks like this one including the crucifix above the IHS .NOTE: I have done extensive research on the Guarneri family. Please contact me for questions.The work of female luthiers has been woefully neglected in history. Katarina Guarneri was the wife of the famous Joseph Guarnerius, also known as "Guarnerius del Gesu". My understanding is that she was not Italian but was actually Tyrolean or German or something like that. I have read that t exist authentic labels of "Katarina Guarneri" that have been removed from late Guarneri del Gesu violins. She also outlived Joseph Guarneri by several years, if I recall. The couple never had children and were actually married by Antonio Stradivari. The reason I am fascinated by Katarina Guarneri is because early del Gesu violins are coarse in craftsmanship compared to later del Gesu violins. In my opinion, t was a gigantic and sudden improvement in del Gesu craftsmanship that peaked around 1742 or so. The difference is so marked that I could never reconcile the fact that Joseph Guarneri's badly deteriorating health could produce such incredible violins at the end of his life, particularly when some of those violins origin... read more

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