Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1683, the 'O'Neill'
Violin: 41583
Labeled, "Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis / Faciebat 1683."
Back: One-piece cut on the slab
Scroll: not original, by Charles Beare
Ribs: upper right side is a replacement
Length of back: 35.6 cm
Upper bouts: 16.7 cm
Middle bouts: 11.3 cm
Lower bouts: 20.5 cm
Notes:
Previously known as the 'Lioness', this violin had a painting of a lion on the back, which was probably applied to mask several cracks. The painting is thought to date from about 1850 and the violin's provenance with the painting goes back at least to Vuillaume in 1855. In 1974 it was bought by Beares, who removed the painting in order to restore the back. The photos show elements of the restoration in the lower flanks of the back, the upper rib is replaced, the head at the time was the last head Charles Beare ever made for a Strad (but has subsequently been replaced). - Private correspondenceProvenance
| Aloys Kettenus | |
| in 1904 | Robert O'Neill |
| until 1974 | John McClintock |
| in 1974 | Sold by Sotheby's |
| 1974-1977 | John & Arthur Beare |
| until 1982 | Jacques Français |
| from 1982 | Current owner |
Certificates & Documents
Certificate: Machold Rare Violins, Ltd, Vienna (2005) X-2435.- Certificate: Jacques Français, New York, NY (1989) #2329.
- Certificate: John & Arthur Beare, London (1981)
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.)
How Many Strads? (1999 edition), Doring, Bein & Fushi, Bein & Fushi, Chicago, 1999 (illustrated)
