Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1720, the 'Mendelssohn, 'Red Violin''
Violin: 40316
Bearing its original label, "Antonio Stradivari Cremonensis / Faciebat Anno 1720."
Back: Two-piece of medium to broad curl descending from the center joint
Top: of medium grain
Scroll: of wood similar to back
Ribs: of wood similar to back
Varnish: Red over a golden ground
Length of back: 35.4 cm
Upper bouts: 16.7 cm
Middle bouts: 10.75 cm
Lower bouts: 20.6 cm
Notes:
Listed as 1720 in Goodkind.The Violin Iconography of Antonio Stradivari 1644-1737, Herbert K. Goodkind, Violin Iconography of Antonio Stradivari 1644-1737, Larchmont, NY
This is the instrument upon which the film "The Red Violin" is loosely based.
Provenance
| Lilli von Mendelssohn | |
| Franz von Mendelssohn | |
| until 1956 | Hamma & Co. |
| from 1956 | Rembert Wurlitzer Inc. |
| until 1990 | Luthier Rosenthal & Son |
| from 1990 | Current owner |
Known players
Elizabeth Pitcairn
Certificates & Documents
Certificate: Rembert Wurlitzer Inc., New York, NY (1956)- Certificate: Hamma & Co., Stuttgart (1956)
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)- Christie's Musical Instruments Auction Catalog, November 21, 1990, London, Christie's, Christie's, London (illustrated)
- https://www.christies.com/departments/exceptionalprices.asp?DID=42
- 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)