The Rainer W. Leonhardt "Manuela No. 1" Violin 2025 is a handcrafted master violin from Mittenwald, Germany, made from carefully seasoned European spruce and maple and finished in a beautiful hand-applied amber-brown spirit varnish. Offering a warm, powerful tone with outstanding clarity, projection, and responsiveness.
Rainer W. Leonhardt is a fourth-generation master violin maker whose family workshop has been crafting fine string instruments since 1926. Based in the historic violin-making town of Mittenwald, Germany, he combines centuries-old German craftsmanship with carefully selected tonewoods to create instruments admired by musicians worldwide for their beauty, reliability, and exceptional tonal quality.
The Rainer W. Leonhardt "Manuela No. 1" Violin 2025 is a handcrafted master violin from Mittenwald, Germany, created by acclaimed luthier Rainer W. Leonhardt. Built using carefully selected, naturally seasoned European spruce and maple, this exceptional instrument reflects the Leonhardt workshop's dedication to traditional German violin making. Finished with a beautifully hand-applied warm amber-brown spirit varnish over a golden ground, the violin displays elegant craftsmanship while producing a rich, resonant tone with remarkable clarity and projection. Every detail, from the finely carved scroll to the expertly graduated plates, demonstrates the precision and artistry that have made the Leonhardt name respected by musicians around the world.
Designed for advanced students, professional performers, and collectors, the "Manuela No. 1" offers excellent tonal balance, quick response, and an expressive sound suitable for solo, chamber, and orchestral performance. The carefully matured tonewoods provide warmth, depth, and stability, while traditional hand-building techniques ensure lasting quality and musical refinement. Combining the heritage of Mittenwald violin making with modern craftsmanship, this violin is an outstanding example of contemporary German master lutherie.
About Rainer W. Leonhardt
Rainer W. Leonhardt is a fourth-generation German master violin maker based in Mittenwald, Bavaria, one of Europe's most historic centres of violin making. After graduating from the prestigious Mittenwald Violin Making School in 1982, he completed further training with distinguished luthiers before earning his Master Violin Maker qualification from the Munich Chamber of Crafts in 1990. Since 1997, he has led the Leonhardt family workshop, continuing a tradition of handcrafted string instrument making that dates back to 1926 and is rooted in more than 350 years of Mittenwald violin-making heritage. In addition to building award-winning violins, violas, and cellos, Leonhardt has served as Director of the renowned Mittenwald Museum of Violin Making. His instruments are celebrated for their exceptional craftsmanship, carefully selected European tonewoods, elegant varnish work, and rich, expressive tonal character.
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.
This German-Made Helmut Illner A-Level Violin Carved and varnished in Germany according to the specifications of German luthier Helmut Illner.
This is the Barbet & Granier dated 1879 Violin from Marseille France. Charles Barbet and Edmund Granier of Marseille were at the forefront of outstanding makers at the turn of the 19th century.
We have here the Orfeo Carletti Violin made in 1932. Orfeo Carletti is an Italian violin maker who opened a workshop together with his father and brother in Bologna.
Check out this Ryszard Osowski Violin Model BR with Certificate. Ryszard Osowski is a Polish luthier who was able to gradually perfect the sound and quality of his instruments, concentrating more on building his own stringed instrument, passionately rearing towards crafting highly advanced violins.
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.
Lambert-Humbert Frères firm (fl. 1876 – 1969) was a major violin manufacturer in Mirecourt, offering a wide range of models and quality levels, established in 1876 by violin-making brothers Maurice-Emile and Pierre Alexis Auguste Laberte.
Marc Laberte (1880–1963) was trained as a violin maker and joined the family company in 1911. By 1919, the Laberte firm had around 400 craftsmen and was successful. However, the war in 1942 devastated the business, leading to its closure. Despite this, Laberte was known for his exceptional instruments and bows, earning several honours and medals.
This violin has the original Marc Laberte label and bears the number #3010. A second label states Grand Prix Paris 1931, Exposition Internationale Bruxelles 1935 Membre Du Jury, and Exposition Internationale New York 1939. The prices they won before and during the start of the world war 2.
