Moretti Egidio transitioned from cabinetmaking to violin making in 1924-1928. During 1945-1955 in Lavagna, Genoa, his instruments were known for their accuracy and good varnish, with two different labels used - handwritten and printed.
Egidio Moretti Violin made in 1947 in Lavagna, Italy
Between 1924 and 1928, Moretti Egidio seamlessly transitioned from cabinetmaking to violin making. He gained an excellent reputation for his work in Lavagna, Genoa, from 1945 to 1955, where residents noted the two labels he used for his instruments - handwritten and printed. His classical models were characterized by their precision and high-quality varnish in intense red or light colours. His work was highly regarded by many.
This violin is labelled "Antonius Vinaccia, Napoli in Via Constantinii, a. 1792" and shows evidence of being repaired in 1902. Antonio Vinaccia was a renowned instrument maker in Naples during the mid-18th to late 19th centuries. He was known for making violins in the style of Gagliano and exceptional mandolins. His craftsmanship is preserved in Naples's Museo Spagnuolo (Palazzo degli Studi). Antonio's sons, Gennaro and Gaetano, also became instrument makers.
The 1927 Collin-Mezin violin is a masterpiece crafted in the renowned Collin-Mezin Workshop, established in the 19th century by Charles Jean Baptiste Collin-Mezin in Paris. After passing in 1923, his son, Charles Collin-Mezin Jr., took over the workshop. In 1925, the workshop moved to Mirecourt, France. Known for producing vibrant instruments with outstanding sound flexibility, the workshop's tradition continues with the 1927 Collin-Mezin violin.
Victor Audinot (1870-1943), also known as Audinot-Mourot, came from a family of luthiers in Mirecourt. Mentored by Francois Chardin and Telesphore Barbé, Audinot was mainly influenced by Barbé, who had honed his skills working for Jean Baptiste Vuillaume in Paris. This experience helped shape Audinot’s successful career in instrument making.
Victor worked in Mirecourt, known for luthier tradition, before moving to Paris to set up his workshop on Rue Truffaut in 1913. He dedicated himself to his craft until retiring in 1936. He passed his expertise to five of his six sons and aspiring luthiers. Renowned for creating exact replicas of classical instruments, he crafted an exceptional copy of the ornately decorated Stradivari violin known as the ‘Sunrise’, showcasing his artistry.
Léon Bernardel (1853–1931) learned violin making under his father, Ernest Auguste Bernardel, and later worked with Derazey before joining the family’s shop, Gand et Bernardel Frères. In 1899, he established his firm, collaborating with his son, Léon (II). Bernardel’s violins are highly celebrated for their rich, warm tone and exceptional projection, a result of his innovative craftsmanship and attention to detail. His instruments remain sought after by musicians and collectors, and his work continues to inspire luthiers to this day.
This violin features the original label "Made by Ian W. Clarke, Biddeston, Australia. March 1982," identifying it as a handcrafted Australian violin completed in March 1982. Ian W. Clarke (born 1948) is one of Australia's leading contemporary luthiers, having graduated with distinction from the Newark School of Violin Making after winning a Silver Medal at the Cremona Triennale. Since returning to Queensland in 1981, he has continued to build and restore fine stringed instruments from his Biddeston workshop. Crafted during the early years of his Australian career, this violin offers documented provenance, outstanding craftsmanship, and the enduring appeal of an instrument made by one of Australia's most respected living violin makers.
This violin features the original handwritten label "Mario Gadda – Fece in Mantova – Anno 1982" together with the inscription "Modello Ansaldo Poggi," identifying it as a handcrafted Italian violin made in Mantua in 1982 and inspired by the renowned Poggi model. Created during the peak of Mario Gadda's career, the instrument combines the rich Mantuan violin-making tradition inherited from his father, Gaetano Gadda, with Gadda's own exceptional craftsmanship, producing the powerful tone, refined workmanship, and enduring quality for which his instruments are internationally admired.
This is a Collin - Mezin violin made in Paris in 1902. Charles Jean Baptiste Collin-Mezin (1841–1923) was a Parisian luthier an Officier de l'Académie des Beaux-Arts and won gold and silver medals in 1878, 1889, and 1900 at the Paris Exhibitions.
