Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1714, the 'Batta'
Cello: 40279
Bearing its original label.
Back: Two-piece
Length of back: 75.6 cm
Upper bouts: 34.6 cm
Lower bouts: 44.1 cm
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Notes:
"While all other instruments I had played prior to the "Batta" differed one from the other in character and range, I knew their qualities, shortcomings, or their capriciousness enough to exploit their good capabilities to full advantage. Not so with the "Batta," whose prowess had no limitations. Bottomless in its resources, it spurred me on to try to reach its depths, and I have never worked harder or desired anything more fervently than to draw out of this superior instrument all it has to give. Only then will I deserve to be its equal." – Gregor PiatigorskyProvenance
| until 1836 | J. P. Thibout |
| 1836-1893 | Alexander Batta |
| in 1893 | Sold by W. E. Hill & Sons |
| from 1893 | Baron Johann Knoop |
| until 1906 | W. E. Hill & Sons |
| from 1906 | Ernest Illingworth Holden |
| until 1922 | W. E. Hill & Sons |
| from 1922 | Percy C. Aykroyd |
| until 1928 | W. E. Hill & Sons |
| from 1928 | Harry J. Peters |
| until 1945 | Horace Havemeyer |
| from 1945 | Dr. Daniel Catlin |
| from 1956 | Gregor Piatigorsky |
| in 2003 | Current owner |
Known players
Alexandre Batta, Gregor Piatigorsky
Certificates & Documents
Certificate: W. E. Hill & Sons, London- Certificate: Emil Herrmann, New York, New York, NY
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References
- Antonio Stradivari: His Life & Work (1644-1737), W. Henry, Arthur F. & Alfred E. Hill, William E. Hill & Sons, London, 1902
Capolavori di Antonio Stradivari, Charles Beare, Arnoldo Mondadori S.p.A., Milan (illustrated)
Cellist, Chapter Twenty-nine- Stradivari, Stewart Pollens, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2010 (illustrated)
- Violins & Violinists, September-October, 1954, Ernest N. Doring, William Lewis & Son, Chicago (illustrated)
- The Jacques Français Rare Violins, Inc. Photographic Archive and Business Records, 1844-1998, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC (illustrated)
- Violin Iconography of Antonio Stradivari 1644-1737, Herbert K. Goodkind, Larchmont, NY (illustrated)
- W. E. Hill & Sons Photographic Archive (illustrated)