Antonio Gragnani, Livorno, 1771
Violin: 41963
Labeled, "Antonio Gragnani fecit / Liburni Anno 1771" and branded "AG" on the back button and below the end-pin.
Back: Two-piece of medium curl
Top: of medium grain
Scroll: of wood similar to back
Ribs: of wood similar to back
Varnish: Dark golden
Length of back: 35.4 cm
Upper bouts: 16 cm
Middle bouts: 10.9 cm
Lower bouts: 19.5 cm
Notes:
"There was less agreement on a fifth instrument that raised suspicions: a 1771 Antonio Gragnani violin valued at $190,000. Reuning said the instrument's top and sound holes did not at all resemble the work of Gragnani, whom he called among the more consistent Italian luthiers of his time.Kass said the instrument bore a resemblance to the work of Gragnani's lesser-known son, Onorato, and suggested the label may have been switched to increase its value. To Beare, the violin could be a legitimate early work of Gragnani, but he said he could not make a concrete determination without inspecting the instrument."
False Notes, Mark Mueller, The Star Ledger, New Jersey
"Expert X said it had been heavily restored. He valued at $80,000."
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Report of the Trustee Review Panel concerning the Golden Age Collection, December 16, 2004
Provenance
| in 1988 | Sold by Christie's |
| until 1997 | Keith Harvey |
| 1997-2002 | Geigenbau Machold |
| 2002-2003 | Dr Herbert R. Axelrod |
| 2003-2007 | New Jersey Symphony Orchestra |
| from 2007 | Current owner |
Certificates & Documents
- Insurance valuation: Machold Rare Violins, Ltd, Vienna (2002) Values the instrument at $190,000.
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
Evelyn & Herbert Axelrod Stringed Instrument Collection, Herbert Axelrod (illustrated)- Christie's Important Musical Instruments and Printed Music Auction Catalog, June 21, 1988, London, Christie's, Christie's, London (illustrated)
- The Star Ledger, Mark Mueller, New Jersey, August 1, 2004
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra- New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Collection brochure from Violin Advisor, LLC, April, 2007
- New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Report of the Trustee Review Panel concerning the Golden Age Collection, December 16, 2004