Marchetti violin at Brompton’s

[J.S. Eberle]

https://auctions.bromptons.co/auction/lot/lot-301---a-violin-by-enrico-marchetti-turin-1915/?lot=844&so=0&st=&sto=0&au=8&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=0&pp=96&pn=4&g=1#
 

Wondering what to make of what appears to be poorly painted ‘flame’ on the back of this instrument. Is this common for a highly regarded modern Italian maker?

[Televet]

It has been withdrawn 

[J.S. Eberle]

https://auctions.bromptons.co/auction/lot/lot-290---a-violin-attributed-to-enrico-marchetti-turin-1915/?lot=1966&so=0&st=&sto=0&au=16&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=0&pp=96&pn=3&g=1

 

And… it’s back!

Seriously, am I wrong about the painted flame on the back? What’s going on there? I’d love to own a Marchetti violin, I have heard some lovely sounding instruments by this maker. But the estimate seems high if the attribution is doubtful…

[jacobsaunders]

when one clicks on your link it says "Lot not found or currently unavailable"

[Mansfield Piggot]

‎ 

[CantPlayChaconne]

Is this the area we are talking about?

[Mansfield Piggot]

^They'd be looking for the dark flames to go over the purfling instead of being interrupted by it

[Dr. Mark]

...which it seems to do, to the right and left of the circled area.

[violinsRus]

And a few also cross the center joint, while others don't.  

 

[violinouno]

German trade violin attributed to Marchetti. Honest to say - attributed is never by. The back with painted ‘flame’ of course. The auction business is not easy. They have to charge huge fees from buyers, sellers (over 50% now!) and keep the prices attractive low. Than the violin shops and makers will purchase violins, do certificates and try to find naive musicians which are ready to purchase trade violins for 5x prices. This is a life...

[martin swan]

18 hours ago, violinouno said:

The auction business is not easy. They have to charge huge fees from buyers, sellers (over 50% now!) 

Where do you get this figure from?

[st_violin]

14 hours ago, martin swan said:

Where do you get this figure from?

Well, I think the figures are a bit off, it's around 41.5% for Bromptons (20% from the buyer, 21.5% from the seller).

[chrissweden]

On 12/17/2025 at 11:21 AM, martin swan said:

Where do you get this figure from?

Tons of auctions in continental Europe that I know of with a premium of 30%+ for both buyer and seller. Vichy is a good example they went from 20% to 25% within 3 years.

[Just Sayin’]

Wouldn’t those painted stripes be easily detectable simply by rotating the back under suitable lighting?

Are there any examples of painted stripes by any major maker?

[GeorgeH]

Sellers' fees are often negotiable. Buyer's fees generally are not.

[duane88]

On 12/18/2025 at 9:48 AM, Just Sayin’ said:

Wouldn’t those painted stripes be easily detectable simply by rotating the back under suitable lighting?

Are there any examples of painted stripes by any major maker?

I maintain a Gagliano that has painted flames on the back. 

[Faren4511]

On 12/17/2025 at 1:21 AM, martin swan said:

Where do you get this figure from?

I think he means the total combined fees charged by both buyer (25%-30%) and sellers (25%-30%).

[martin swan]

1 hour ago, Faren4511 said:

I think he means the total combined fees charged by both buyer (25%-30%) and sellers (25%-30%).

In the specific case of Bromptons, which is what was discussed, the buyer's premium is 20%, the seller's fee is negotiable but usually 15% on lower value items.

[Faren4511]

16 hours ago, martin swan said:

In the specific case of Bromptons, which is what was discussed, the buyer's premium is 20%, the seller's fee is negotiable but usually 15% on lower value items.

Yes, for Bromptons you are absolutely correct. (As always )

[martin swan]

7 hours ago, Faren4511 said:

Yes, for Bromptons you are absolutely correct. (As always )

As far as I know these terms apply in the UK across the board, though with Tarisio the seller's fees are published. I'm not personally aware of any auction house in the UK that charges more than 35% in total fees.

Having said that, if I could charge 35% on a sale I would think I had died and gone to heaven ...

[Violadamore]

15 hours ago, martin swan said:

........if I could charge 35% on a sale I would think I had died and gone to heaven ...

You sure that's not mutually exclusive?   I wouldn't expect to find the saints and angels peddling instruments to each other.    

[skelly]

Capitalist heaven.

[martin swan]

8 hours ago, Violadamore said:

You sure that's not mutually exclusive?   I wouldn't expect to find the saints and angels peddling instruments to each other.    

As a violin dealer naturally I don’t expect to go to heaven, but if somehow I do end up there Î reckon I could flog the odd harp or two. « Once owned by Saint Cecelia », that sort of thing …

[Kev Chanot]

Who do auction houses represent ?

[fragslap]

8 hours ago, Kev Chanot said:

Who do auction houses represent ?

Themselves.