Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1684, the 'Visconti da Madrona'
Cello: 41430
Back: Two-piece; the seal of the Visconti is painted on the back
Scroll: a later replacement, possibly by Lupot, or possible Betts
Ribs: the upper treble rib is a later replacement
Varnish: Red-brown
Length of back: 76.7 cm
Upper bouts: 34 cm
Middle bouts: 24 cm
Lower bouts: 43.5 cm
There are 16 additional images in the archive which are not available publicly. Please contact us for more information.
Notes:
This is probably the instrument especially made for the Contessina Christina Visconti.How Many Strads?, Doring, Bein & Fushi, Doring, Bein & Fushi, How Many Strads? (1999 edition), Chicago
". . . originally a bass viola da gamba, is decorated with an armorial shield on front and back, possibly painted after its conversion."
Gold standard, Carlo Chiesa, The Strad, February, 2005, London
Emil Herrmann notes: "1800: brought to England, reduced in size by John Betts and replaced also head.. . . (instrument was enlarged again, proably by Hills)."
The Jacques Français Rare Violins, Inc. Photographic Archive and Business Records, 1844-1998, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, The Jacques Français Rare Violins, Inc. Photographic Archive and Business Records, 1844-1998, Washington, DC
Provenance
| Count Visconti | |
| in 1800 | John Betts |
| until 1911 | W. E. Hill & Sons |
| from 1911 | Mrs. Ginn |
| 1911-1949 | Ginn Family |
| from 1950 | Bernard Greenhouse |
| until 1958 | Jacques Français |
| from 1958 | Benjamin Cooper |
| in 1964 | Robert Alonzo Lehman |
| from 1969 | Current owner |
Certificates & Documents
Certificate: W. E. Hill & Sons, London (1901)- Certificate: Wurlitzer, New York, NY
Cozio holds copies of many certificates and other documents, some of which are available to view on request. Please contact us if you wish to view a particular document. (Note that we do not always have permission to share documents.)
References
- Antonio Stradivari: His Life & Work (1644-1737), W. Henry, Arthur F. & Alfred E. Hill, William E. Hill & Sons, London, 1902
The Strad, February, 2005, Carlo Chiesa, Newsquest Specialist Media, London (illustrated)- How Many Strads? (1999 edition), Doring, Bein & Fushi, Bein & Fushi, Chicago, 1999
- I violoncelli di Antonio Stradivari, Bruce Carlson, Conzorzio Liutai Antonio Stradivari, Cremona (illustrated)
- Private Archives - 10072
- Private Archives - 10842
- The Jacques Français Rare Violins, Inc. Photographic Archive and Business Records, 1844-1998, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, Box 57 (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)