Dimitri Musafia

I've never seen anything like this before. The early baroque holster cases normally measure around 95 at the aperture; 108-110 is the measure of the later cases where a violin with modern set up will fit. Apparently the case is carved solid wood (typical Italian) but the materials, hardware, exterior finish, nor the design are compatible. Tirol perhaps? In any event I don't think that Amati would have delivered one of his violins in such a case, but then again who knows. Is there any way you can dendro-test it?

Thank you kindly Manfio, but I am looking for evidence of currently existing cases from before Stradivari's time. :-)

Wow! Can you kindly measure the maximum height of the interior of the case at the aperture (from bottom to top)? And do you have an idea as to the materials of construction?

Thank you so much, Christian. Very appreciated. Do you know where this case is now?

I seem to have lost her email... if you can provide it, much obliged! :-)

(or Roi, depending). Does anyone have any links to photos of the cases that were supplied with these instruments by Andrea Amati? Or any information in general? Thanks in advance!

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Of course it's a promo made in Cremona! But by whom and why is the question.

That's a very interesting report, Shelbow, thank you for posting it. I believe that numerous parallels may be drawn between the Swiss watch market and the high-end contemporary violin market. First and foremost: "Our legacy is our future". Brilliant.

When I graduated in 1982 there were about 35 established shops in town. Today various sources put that number at about 140-150, likely not counting employees. For a city of 71,000 people, it's rather astonishing actually, although only time will tell if it is actually sustainable in the long run.

My compliments, GeorgeH, excellent research. It's worthy noting that the production of 1982 is still above what it was in 1949; it would seem (IMHO) that the Swiss catered to the luxury end all through this time and that they managed to maintain it, while the market itself branched off into different directions. If more recent data were available it would be interesting to see how things went after 1982. I would imagine that most established luxury brands have seen a general increase paralleling the increase of wealth of the famous top 1%. Be that as it may, I can state with authority that since 1982 the number of luthiers established in Cremona has increased four fold since 1982. Anyway thank you.

If there is one guy treading on thin ice these days, it's the owner of Alibaba. I'm certain his publishing output reflects that.

GeorgeH, I'm curious, and you seem to be in the know. So let me ask, did the Swiss actually lead the market for lower and middle-priced watches as well? I can think of long defunct American brands like Gruen, Elgin, Hamilton, Bulova, and Timex (well, the latter two still exist but are now foreign-owned and no longer manufacture in the U.S.), weren't they at the lower end of the marketing spectrum and the Swiss always at the top?

I must really say it, all your answers here are a tribute to the intelligence and diversity of humanity. Thank you. It's an ecouraging thing: when we are all convinced/coerced/forced to think the same way that it becomes a problem, as Orwell explained. Cheers!

Respectfully, the Swiss watch industry has been purveyors of luxury goods now for many decades. So what if the Apple Watch outsold Rolex, Breitling, Baume et Mercier, and all those firms put together by unit? I'm sure that if instead of units sold one looked at turnover, the picture may be different. Do you now how many Apple watches can be purchased for the price of a Franck Mueller? And ten years from now, what will be the Apple watches resale value?