A violin by Gaetano Sgarabotto, Parma 1927, ex Shlomo Mintz

Price range: £50,000+

Gaetano Sgarabotto (born Venice 1878-1959)  can without doubt be considered one of the true greats of the violin making world ,First half of the  20th century.

He studied the basics of violin-making on his own in Vicenza for many years, until 1901 when he moved to Milan. Here, he studied the craft of violin making in the Cremonese tradition. In Milan he also served as an apprentice for Leandro Bisiach where he met and worked with master luthier Giuseppe Ornati. In 1926, he moved to Parma, where he was soon appointed as the director of the School of Violin-Making. He is often credited with initiating the 20th century tradition of the Liuteria Parmanese. Both he and his son, Pietro, were very influential in the training schools of Parma and Cremona.

He is a maker that was at ease doing “straight” violins and also able to do master copies. This violin is mainly straight…with a dash of copy! The model is of course Guadagnini, and he has done some light antique work to the varnish, but compared to the other violin we own…it’s minimal!

This violin has been in the possession of the famous violin  soloist, Shlomo Mintz, since 1981. 40 years later we helped him sell the violin and now we have the rare chance to sell again!

To quote his words “I consider this violin to be a solo instrument” (The violin comes with a letter from Maestro Mintz.

The violin is also featured in 4 pages in the book Gaetano & Pietro Sgarabotto.

 

For more information and pricing call: +44(0)7905 344220 Or contact Us via the form below: