Shelbow

Updated the list with Vichy auctions

Extremely rare, but I have seen a few examples of 18th century violins with original necks and no peg bushings come through the auctions. It does really throw you off though.

Updated September, quite a lot of things going on.

Totally, given Slovenia's interesting geographic location I would expect influences from a number of places, Italy, Austria, Germany, Hungary etc. You can see that in music and food, so why not violins. My partner is from the far eastern part of the country which was Hungarian for a significant part of history. There are interesting influences there including from the Ottoman Empire. I am also particularly interested in the music and instruments of the Resia Valley in the province of Udine in Italy, which has very interesting Slavic / Slovene history. Lots of fascinating things going on in the border areas. I would love to see a book about violin making in the Slovene lands (with all it's complicated historical border issues accounted for). If I could read or speak Slovene I would try to write it myself.

Greetings, A very interesting and complicated subject matter this, of which I am sure there are a number of different views. My partner is Slovenian and I spend quite a bit of time there. Not wanting to challenge your information as a Slovenian, but in regards to Tartini, as you know he was born in Piran (Pirano) which at the time of his birth was part of the Venetian trade empire. In fact Piran (as an enclave) was controlled by the Venetians for over 500 years between the 13th and 18th centuries. For this period that direct area was ethnically Venetian speaking not Slovene. What is however correct is that the areas immediately outside of Piran would of contained numerous Slavic populations including Slovenes. Before the Venetians you are correct that this area was inhabited by various Slavic tribes of which the Slovenes would have been one of them, but at the time of Tartini this was a well entrenched Venetian enclave. At the end of the 18th century after Venetian rule ended, this area somewhat switched back and fourth between the Austrians (Hapsburgs), the French, back to Austria and then the Italians after WWI. Certainly at these times the ethnicity of the population and language used in this area would have changed considerably. Slovene would have likely been much more present in Piran. Between the wars Piran had a majority Italian speaking population and was still under Italian control until 1945 at which point it was temporarily transferred to the Yugoslavians and was then formally transferred to Yugoslavia in 1954. Post 1954 (and after considerable years of change) the population of Piran is now majority Slovenian with Slovene being the main spoken language. There are still however about 5-7% of the modern population of Piran who would be considered or consider themselves Italian or of Italian descent. To anyone reading who has not been, Piran is beautiful, definitely worth visiting if you haven't been. There also used to be a ferry from Piran to Venice, not sure if this still exists.

Latest Amati sale up: (UK) - Amati - July 29th - 30th (2026) - Violins etc - https://app.amati.com/en/auction/1137-amati-single-owner-collection-29th-july?

Amati auction now up: (UK) - AMATI - June 24th-25th (2026) - Violins etc - https://app.amati.com/en/auction/1136-amati-specialist-24th-june

Just did a big update for June. Let me know if I'm missing anything.

French violin auction happening today: (FRA) - VARENNE - May 28th (2026) - Violins etc -https://www.interencheres.com/art-decoration/violons-et-instruments-de-musique-680956

Aguttes also tomorrow. (FRA) - AGUTTES - May 29th (2026) - Musical Instruments etc - https://www.aguttes.com/en/artisio#/auctions/008b0d10-34f8-41ae-a4ae-fee28c95f386

Just notice Millon auction tomorrow: (FRA) - MILLON - May 29th (2026) - Violins etc - https://www.millon.com/catalogue/vente4247-instruments-univers-de-la-musique#catalog

Added the GH stuff (UK) - GARDINER HOULGATE - June 9th (2026) - Guitars etc -https://auctions.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk/catalogue/cb75950eeec8fd57f0bf94d0f0ed3da5/63b778f7668dabe928d3800924a99077/the-guitar-auction-four-day-sale/ (UK) - GARDINER HOULGATE - June 10th (2026) - Guitars etc - https://auctions.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk/catalogue/cb75950eeec8fd57f0bf94d0f0ed3da5/aa3256dfaa581b83dd9a740d7ec8e30d/the-guitar-auction-four-day-sale/ (UK) - GARDINER HOULGATE - June 11th (2026) - Guitars etc - https://auctions.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk/catalogue/cb75950eeec8fd57f0bf94d0f0ed3da5/3dfe96b3d8514009372b34ed949e473e/the-guitar-auction-four-day-sale/ (UK) - GARDINER HOULGATE - June 12th (2026) - Guitars etc - https://auctions.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk/catalogue/cb75950eeec8fd57f0bf94d0f0ed3da5/bf0761984d271d5c0c6b7fc7cecee274/the-guitar-auction-four-day-sale/ (UK) - GARDINER HOULGATE - June 12th (2026) - Musical Instruments etc - https://auctions.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk/catalogue/ce893d094b10ba5bf142cd3c65631dca/63b778f7668dabe928d3800924a99077/musical-instruments/

Amati Up (UK) - AMATI - October 27th (2026) - Violins etc -https://app.amati.com/en/auction/1135-amati-affordable-27th-may?

Thanks all

Hi All, Hope you are well. Shelbow (Sheldon) here, one of your moderators on the forum. I'm sure nobody will care about this, but as I'm currently a moderator, I thought it best for me to be transparent about a change to my life situation which seems relevant to disclose (especially considering that I post a lot about auctions). For the past 7 years I have been working at the Royal Academy of Music as the assistant to the Curator in the Museum. Looking after instrument loans and other bits to do with the collection. However, a couple of weeks ago I decided to make the switch to work for Amati Auctions (as a contractor), at their London office. I will work several day a week for them, doing various auction related things, but I will also do some other work for myself (bow making and consultancy etc). In the short term I will continue to post about auctions, and will endeavour to stay neutral regarding my coverage of auctions (as per normal). Regarding the forum, I will not engage in anything related to Amati on this forum other than posting when their auctions are up (as I do with all auction houses). I will leave James, one of the Amati directors to comment on anything related to their activities (as he usually does anyway). A few people on here already know me in person or via PM (so it's probably not much of a surprise), but in case you didn't know, this is my situation. Feel free to say hello if you are passing through London. Any questions or concerns, please let me know. Kind regards, Sheldon