Bearing the label "Laurentius Bellafontana fecit Genuae Anno Domini 1943," this violin is the work of Lorenzo (Laurentius) Bellafontana (1906–1979), a distinguished member of the Genoese school and a pupil of Oreste Candi. The Latin label translates to "Laurentius Bellafontana made [this] in Genoa in the year of Our Lord 1943" and includes his characteristic LBG monogram and handwritten signature. Bellafontana's violins are admired for their refined craftsmanship, warm Italian tone, elegant design, responsive playability, and rich orange-red varnish, making them highly regarded examples of 20th-century Italian violin making.
Bearing the label "Laurentius Bellafontana fecit Genuae Anno Domini 1943," this violin is attributed to Lorenzo (Laurentius) Bellafontana (1906–1979), one of the leading luthiers of the 20th-century Genoese school of violin making. A pupil of the renowned Oreste Candi, Bellafontana established his own workshop in Genoa in 1935 and later earned the distinction of serving as curator of Niccolò Paganini's famous Il Cannone violin. The label, written in traditional Latin, reads "Laurentius Bellafontana made [this] in Genoa in the year of Our Lord 1943" and features his characteristic LBG monogram and handwritten signature.
Bellafontana's violins are celebrated for their refined craftsmanship, elegant proportions, warm Italian tonal character, and excellent balance across all four strings. Finished with a rich orange-red varnish over a golden ground, his instruments are admired for their responsive playability, clear projection, and expressive sound. Today, Bellafontana's work remains highly regarded by musicians and collectors as a fine representation of the enduring traditions of Italian violin making.
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.
This is a violin labelled Carlo Steffani. The timber for this violin was cut around 1800 in the Southern Alps.
We have here a Labelled Amedee Dieudonne violin made around 1946 in Mirecourt, France. Amedee Dieudonne is a French luthier who specialized in copying Cremona Masters and was able to achieve a superior varnishing technique.
Manighetti Violin made in 1938 in Turin, Italy
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.
This violin (copy) bears the label 'Andrea Postacchini,' a skilled Italian luthier renowned for crafting high-quality instruments with exceptional tonal quality.
This is the Gliga Vasile with Lion Head Scroll 4/4 Violin (Instrument Only) Supplied with certificate of authenticity, including photographs, date, measurements, materials with the stamp and signature of the maker, Vasile Gliga.
Over 25 years, Ryszard conducted numerous experiments, conducted intensive studies, gained valuable experiences, and was influenced by his colleagues, all of which contributed to his gradual perfection of the sound and quality of his instruments.
