ex-Albert Vizentini
Labeled, "Andreas Guarnerius fecit Cremonae fub, titulo Sanctæ Terefiæ 1670."
The head probably later. Rosewood nigra fittings.
LOB: 35.4 cm
Albert Vizentini was born in 1841 into a musical family in Italy. He began his performance career aged 6 with various roles at the Théâtre de l'Odéon. Shortly after, he began learning the violin and moved to Brussels where he studied at the conservatoire under Hubert Léonard and François-Joseph Fetis. In 1860, Vizentini achieved first prize in violin and first prize in composition a year later. He later performed across Europe, becoming concertmaster for the orchestra of the Théâtre Lyrique and continuing a career as a soloist and conductor. He worked with several orchestras and theatres, including Théâtre Lyrique, Théâtre de l'Odéon, Antwerp theatre, Théâtre de la Porte-Saint-Martin, Théâtre de la Gaîté-Lyrique and Imperial Theatres of St Petersburg.A provenance letter sold with this violin written by Vizentini in 1905 states that this Guarneri was sold to him by his teacher, Hubert Léonard. Prior to that, it was owned by Littoff -- probably Henry Litolff, the pianist and composer who also played the violin -- who won the violin at Wieniawski, and Charles Philippe Lafont, a French virtuoso who left France during the revolution to take up the position of chamber violinist for Tsar Alexander I of Russia. Vizentini’s career came to a sad and abrupt end after an accident that paralysed his left hand.
Note: This lot is subject to CITES regulations when exporting outside the UK. Click here for more information.
- Dendrochronology report: Peter Ratcliff, London (Sep 17 2024) Dates the latest ring of the bass and treble side as 1689 and 1687, respectively. Printed report available for purchase upon request.
Letter certificate: Caressa & Français, Paris (Nov 27 1909)- Letter: Albert Vizentini (Nov 27 1905)
- Letter: Albert Vizentini (photocopy) Translation of letter dated 27th November 1905
Letter certificate: Caressa & Français, Paris (Nov 27 1909)
Letter: Albert Vizentini (Nov 27 1905)
Ending on Mar 24 at
3:04 PM London / 4:04 PM Berlin / 11:04 AM New York
Estimate:
£60,000–90,000
Bidding opens Mar 11, 2025 11:00 AM GMT
VAT symbols on Description:
Ω - TI - non-antique - additional 20% import VAT and 2% duty charged on the hammer
‡ - TI - antique - additional 5% import VAT charged on the hammer
† - Normal VAT rules - 20% VAT charged on hammer and premium
No Symbol - Auctioneer's Margin Scheme - 20% VAT-in-lieu charged on the premium (except when exported within 3 months)
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