Stradivarius Violin

[ocasoadrian]

Hello my name is Adrian. I have a stradivarius violin, it is very rare, it has a saying on the back imitating a flower, the material is very similar to nacre. If you could help me to discover the origin of this magnificent instrument. Thank you so much.

[palousian]

You could take more detailed photos, as per these instructions...

https://maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/topic/333119-how-to-photograph-an-instrument-for-identifcation-purposes/

But with the photos you have, and even with me not being an expert, your violin appears to be a very particular type-- a fancy model of a standard mass-produced (via cottage industry) violin from the Vogtland region (now spread between Germany and Czech Republic), from c.1900.  These were made in great numbers with irrelevant labels stuck in them, but sometimes they can sound really good and are popular with traditional fiddle players.  This one looks like it might be set up and playable--how does it sound?  A Stradivari would likely run into the millions of dollars, while this violin might be worth a few hundred dollars. 

 

[Nick Allen]

...should....should we tell him...?

[GeorgeH]

Hi Adrian,

Welcome to mastreonet, and thanks for posting pictures of your violin.

As @palousian pointed out, these violins were imported around the turn of the century by the tens of thousands and sold in department store catalogs like Sears and Montgomery Ward. They were not worth very much when they were originally sold, and they are not worth very much today.

Unfortunately, yours looks to have several serious cracks in the top which would be expensive to repair properly. But if you love it, and want to keep it and play it, then you should get some estimates for getting it repaired to decide if it is worth it to you.

[Michael Jennings]

Kinda like the back wood...wish they hadn't tarted it up.

[stringcheese]

When we get the inevitable weekly call about the Stradivarius in the attic we say the emphasis is on the various part.

[Violadamore]

On 5/21/2019 at 6:07 PM, ocasoadrian said:

Hello my name is Adrian. I have a stradivarius violin, it is very rare, it has a saying on the back imitating a flower, the material is very similar to nacre. If you could help me to discover the origin of this magnificent instrument. Thank you so much.

It's rather pretty, but Palousian identified it.  I'd like to see some more photos, just for fun, and some description of how it sounds.  If you are happy with it, that is really all that matters. 

[MikeC]

I wonder if someone other than the original builder put the mother of pearl linlet on the back.  It's hard to imagine someone being able to build something that looks like a fiddle and then do such a bad job of inlet. 

[Violadamore]

4 hours ago, MikeC said:

I wonder if someone other than the original builder put the mother of pearl linlet on the back.  It's hard to imagine someone being able to build something that looks like a fiddle and then do such a bad job of inlet. 

Judging by traveler's accounts of who often did finishing on such fiddles, you could possibly blame the luthier's wife, who probably had more urgent tasks in hand (such as cleaning, cooking, washing, sewing, and preventing little Hans and Fritz from strangling the cat).

[violinnewb]

I've owned 3 strads and 2 guarneris in my lifetime....

[MikeC]

1 hour ago, Violadamore said:

Judging by traveler's accounts of who often did finishing on such fiddles, you could possibly blame the luthier's wife, who probably had more urgent tasks in hand (such as cleaning, cooking, washing, sewing, and preventing little Hans and Fritz from strangling the cat).

ah so it's not a real Strad,  it's a DelG  

[AtlVcl]

On 5/22/2019 at 8:07 PM, Nick Allen said:

...should....should we tell him...?

You could, but experience tells me he's not a believer.