stern

I think partially because their pedigrees are some of the most accurate in the industry. Not sure what that means

Take it to Ron Sachs in Atlanta he'll be able to tell you who he thinks made it.

Just seems a little redundant as when Tarisio lists items as "by" a maker they are guaranteeing in their opinion it is by that maker (almost like they are saying it twice). In all the conversations I have had with every "world expert in the violin field" has one ever mentioned anyone with any expertise whatsoever at Tarisio with either instruments or bows. So I would not think the certificate carries much weight. There are probably 4 living bow experts and another 4 living instrument experts whose certificates mean anything on the world market

Why does Tarisio find it necessary to provide its own certificate when an instrument being sold in their auction already has a certificate by a respected authority?

Mr. Thornton passed away a few years ago. RIP

I had the pleasure of visiting Craig at his home in Roswell some 5 years ago. A true gentleman. He will be missed.

There was a Manfio viola that disappeared in shipment. Notice the picture does not show the face of the person holding the viola. Also no feedback and no sales for this ebay seller? It is all very suspicious.

Sartory G/T violin bow sells for over 200k US and FX Tourte for nearly 700K US

$162,500 is quite a lot to pay for a Pressenda with a back soundpost crack and a scroll that has been repaired after being broken in half (both repairs evident in the photos on line). Fine violin by Pressenda in the description is a bit of a stretch. The present buyer will own that violin for life until he puts it back in an auction hoping to recoup his 162.5k unless he tries to sell it to an unsuspecting buyer not disclosing the repairs.

Looks like a Mirecourt JTL bow to me

I was good friends with Luiz Bellini. He told me he had the actual Plowden in his hands many times when he worked for Wurlitzer and Jacques Francais. He showed me the plaster casts and all the photos and measurements he had made of the violin. After knowing him for many years I asked him to make me a violin he had never made for anyone else. He said that would have to be a copy of the Plowden. He made an exact copy of the violin and presented it to me in June during my birthday and when the Plowden photos came out in the Strad Magazine-the exact same month. It is an exact copy. He was diagnosed with cancer shortly afterward and it turned out to be the last violin he ever completed before he passed. A true treasure.

You are here because you have been given a purpose, a mission if you will. Often times we do not have that big picture and do not know what that is entirely. One thing is certain you will be here until it is fulfilled and then you will no longer be here. How long that is no one knows for sure. You are not done yet Craig there is more to be done.

Craig, For many years I thought it was all about the violins. Then one day a few years back I had a personal revelation. I came to find out that it was never about the violins. It was about the people I have met as a result of the violins. The violin was the instrument used (no pun intended) to get to meet the people I have all over the world. Much like I did when I drove to Roswell to meet you Craig a few years ago. Yes, yes it was always about the people............

Very simple, somebody needs the money