This replica of Andrea Guarneri's viola, known as the 'Conte Vitale', was made in 1676, built in the finest craftsmanship by Ryzard Osowski in Forchheim, Germany, dated 2024.
Ryszard Osowski, born in 1966 in Poland, moved to Muggendorf, Germany, in 1993, where he learned the craft of building stringed instruments. With over 30 years of experience, he now concentrates solely on crafting his stringed instruments with a passion for highly advanced violins. He occasionally creates individual pieces of violas and cellos.
This is a replica of Andrea Guarneri's viola, known as the 'Conte Vitale', made in 1676. Built in the finest craftsmanship by Ryzard Osowski in Forchheim Germany dated 2024.
Andrea Guarneri (1623 – 1698), a prominent violin maker, apprenticed directly with Nicolò Amati, upholding the Amati tradition. His work, though somewhat more accessible than Amati's, is of exceptional quality. His contralto violas, about eight of which survive, are regarded as some of the best in existence. Andrea was the most prolific maker in the Guarneri dynasty.
Ryszard Osowski, born in 1966 in Poland, moved to Muggendorf, Germany, in 1993, where he learned the craft of building stringed instruments. With over 30 years of experience, he now concentrates solely on crafting his stringed instruments with a passion for highly advanced violins and occasionally creates individual pieces of violas and cellos.
The 'Conte Vitale' Viola by Andrea Guarneri, Cremona, 1676.
Bearing its original label, "Andreas Guarnerins fecit Cremonæ sub titulo / Sanctæ Teresie 1676."
Quotations about the 'Conte Vitale' Viola
"Once described by Alfred Hill as one of the finest Italian instruments in existence, this viola was in 1816 examined by Count Cozio di Salabue, who noted that the initials "S.V." and the crest on the button of the back were those of the Count Vitale of Milano. The instrument was made in collaboration with Andrea's son Pietro, whose neat hand is certainly seen in the edgework and purfling. Pietro would shortly leave for Mantua." - I Centenari Dei Guarneri, I Centenari Dei Guarneri: 1698-1998, Cremona
"Count Cozio di Salabue's diary of 1 April 1816 gives the first histroical evidence of this beautiful viola […].” - Defining the classic, Thomas Martin & Martin Lawrence, The Strad, October, 1996, London
Taken from Count Cozio's notes in April 1, 1816:
“It is intact in its parts, but with only two cracks along the grain of the C-bout area on the treble side […]. Two-piece top, with uneven grain; the thick wood seems to be local. Two-piece back in maple with […] almost at the slab, with two dowels, one above the other, outside of the purfling […] towards the patch. The button is a little more than half a circle; a coat of arms, describing a crossed field with a crown of a count, between the letters "S.V." is there engraved […].”
The sides are of hard wood, with tight uneven, but visible, grain; it seems to be local wood. Back and top have good purfling, similar to that of the violin […]. The sides are quite high, but very tight; similarly, both for back and top. There is no sign of yielding in any part. It looks like no wood has been removed, nor that other parts have been added, not even for the back. High linings and block of red willow […] are naturally cambered. Light yellow-brownish varnish […]. The neck is also original and made by the maker in the […] as the back. The scroll is good and well proportioned, made in [the same] hard wood as the sides; it is sufficiently open […] voice is quite good […]"- Memoirs of a Violin Collector: Count Ignazio Alessandro Cozio di Salabue, Memoirs of a Violin Collector: Count Ignazio Alessandro Cozio di Salabue, Baltimore (p.230).
This viola is Kohlert's unique model, which draws inspiration from the Brescian School. The Brescian School is renowned for producing high-quality violas in the 16th and 17th centuries, crafted by famous makers such as Maggini and Gaspar Da Salo. The size of this particular viola measures 16.3 inches (41.4 cm).
We have here a 15 inch Old French Viola- Repaired by Gand. Charles Eugène Gand was a French Luthier who started with his father Charles François Gand as an apprentice who is the successor of Lupot.
We have here a 15" Paul Knorr Viola (SP Crack Repair) made in Markneukirchen in 1922. Paul Knorr a German luthier, a pupil of Max Dolling who established his workshop in Markneukirchen in 1921.
Jan Chamot (1939) 15 3/4 Inch Viola features:
• Made in Krakov Poland in 1934
• Expertly restored and set up by the luthiers in Animato's workshop
• Despiau three-star bridge and Evah Pirazzi strings fitted
This 15.25" viola was produced by Italian luthier Giovanni Battista Gaibisso in 1950. Giovanni Battista Gaibisso is an Italian Violin, viola, cello, and occasional guitar maker who emigrated to South America and returned to Europe to work for violin-maker François Bovis in France. He established a workshop of his own in 1923 in Alassio and participated in numerous competitions in Italy throughout the twentieth century.
We have here a 16.2 Inches Lloyd Adams Viola made in 1957. Lloyd Adams is an Australian luthier is highly regarded as a repairer, restorer, violin and bow maker, and connoisseur.
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