Marketing violins modeled after Maggini or da Salo

[GeorgeH]

Are violins modeled after Maggini and da Salo with double purfling more or less desirable and/or marketable if they also have the decorative purfling inlays in the back? 

All other things being equal, would a violin that included the purfling inlays command a premium price over one without them? Or not?

Which would you choose?

In this case, I am referring to fine violins in the $20,000 - $30,000 price range.

(An actual Maggini with the type of decorative purfling I am referring to is shown below)

 

[Dwight Brown]

This is not much of an answer I'm afraid.  I think generally violas by these makers are more sought after than violins or 'cellos.  This would apply to copies as well.  That said I don't think anyone would turn up their nose at a real violin or 'cello by either of these makers or a good copy for that matter. I love the decoration on Brescian instruments but it only seems appropriate in that situation. (I did not phrase that very well) If one was shopping for an original instrument of this type I do not think decoration or the lack thereof would effect the price much even though it has to represent a lot of extra work.

 

DLB

[deans]

I've seen a lot of good Brescian copies of violas at this quality level in players hands. I've never taken score but it seems double purfling is common but not necessarily the fancy patterns, although some have it. I suspect most players are more motivated by the playing qualities and the decorations would only have a small (but possibly real) influence.

I think violins would be a different story. Maggini or da Salo violins in this price range aren't something I've come across often in the hands of players. But the market may include more "enthusiasts" than working players, and decorations may be more important.

Just my general feeling.

 

 

[Dwight Brown]

http://www.helenviolinmaker.com/talks_articles_files/StradArticle_ 1604-2010-7-27.pdf

 

http://www.helenviolinmaker.com/talks_articles_files/TradeSecretsAug2010.pdfd

 

You might like these articles BTW.

 

DLB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GeorgeH]

Thanks for the replies and the links. This particular violin has a LOB of 358mm with wide bouts and high arches. It sound great, and the workmanship, including the purfling on the back, is spectacular. It is more modeled after da Salo than Maggini.

I have seen 2 other violins by this maker modeled after Maggini; one with and one without the decorative purfling.

Still curious what other people think about decorative purfling like this.

 

[Addie]

Ditto on violas.  Some fiddlers like the big violins.  I think Mark O'Connor has a Vuillaume Maggini?

I think well done decoration enhances the model.

[Omobono]

A quick look at the tarisio.com archives shows a four samples of Vuillaume Brescians. (One of the first two has the added back decoration, the other does not).

Not sure what kind of money they changed hands for but one would imagine not give-away if genuine Vuillaumes.  All made in the earlier years 1830-1840.

 

 

[Dwight Brown]

I think these do bring quite a lot less than the Stradivari/Guarneri models from JBV.  The flat bottom one on the lower left kinda reminds me of myself. :-)

DLB