Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1703, the 'Rynberger, Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia'
Violin: 41334
Bearing its original label, but last two digits are obscure.
Back: One-piece maple showing broad curl slanting slightly from left to right
Top: of pine, fine-grained at the joint, opening towards the flanks
Varnish: Orange-brown
Length of back: 35.4 cm
Upper bouts: 16.8 cm
Middle bouts: 10.75 cm
Lower bouts: 20.8 cm
Notes:
"Proof to support the theory that this violin had a relationship with the Prussian royal family is provided by a brand impressed into the back of the violin just beneath the end button, which depicts a crown and the inititals 'G. I. d. K. S.' along with 'n. 8'. An explanation of the initials was provided by Hans Diestel, who wrote below a series of pictures of the violin: 'Eigentum der General-Intendantur der Königlichen Schauspiele zu Berlin.' At the time, the instrument still belonged to the Hohenzollern family and was kept in Charlottenburg, the castle commissioned by Sophia Charlotte of Hanover, in Berlin."Antonius Stradivarius (Volumes I-IV), Jost Thöne, Jan Röhrmann, Alessandra Barabaschi, Jost Thöne, Jan Röhrmann, Alessandra Barabaschi, Antonius Stradivarius (Volumes I-IV), Cologne
Provenance
| Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia | |
| 1919-1952 | Henryk Rynberger |
| 1953-1985 | Max Möller & Son |
| from 1985 | Geraldo Modern |
| until 1995 | Dr Pascal Nicod |
| ... | ... |
| from 1995 and in 2015 | Current owner |
Known players
Henryk Rynberger
Certificates & Documents
Certificate: Max Möller & Son, Amsterdam (1953)- Certificate: W. E. Hill & Sons, London (1929) Attests to the authenticity of the instrument and states that the date, though difficult to read, is probably 1703.
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
Antonius Stradivarius (Volumes I-IV), Jost Thöne, Jan Röhrmann, Alessandra Barabaschi, Jost Thöne Verlag, Cologne, 2010 (illustrated)- How Many Strads? (1999 edition), Doring, Bein & Fushi, Bein & Fushi, Chicago, 1999
- Violins & Violinists, February-March, 1946, Ernest N. Doring, William Lewis & Son, Chicago (illustrated)
- Violin Iconography of Antonio Stradivari 1644-1737, Herbert K. Goodkind, Larchmont, NY (illustrated)