The Rainer W. Leonhardt 2025 "November Bird" Violin is a handcrafted master violin made in Mittenwald, Germany, featuring a stunning one-piece bird's-eye maple back, a two-piece European spruce top, and a beautifully antiqued dark brown spirit varnish. Built from carefully selected tonewoods and crafted with traditional German craftsmanship, it delivers a warm, responsive tone with excellent projection.
Rainer W. Leonhardt is a fourth-generation master violin maker whose family workshop has been producing fine string instruments since 1926. Based in the historic violin-making town of Mittenwald, Germany, Leonhardt is renowned for combining traditional craftsmanship with exceptional tonal quality, creating instruments that are appreciated by musicians around the world.
The Rainer W. Leonhardt 2025 "November Bird" Violin is a beautifully handcrafted master violin made in Mittenwald, Germany, by renowned luthier Rainer W. Leonhardt. Built in 2025, this distinctive instrument features a striking one-piece bird's-eye maple back paired with a two-piece spruce top with medium-width annual growth rings, combining exceptional visual beauty with outstanding tonal qualities. Finished in a hand-applied dark brown spirit varnish over a warm golden-yellow ground and delicately antiqued, the "November Bird" reflects the refined artistry and meticulous craftsmanship for which the Leonhardt workshop is internationally respected.
Designed for discerning musicians, the "November Bird" offers the balanced projection, warmth, and responsiveness expected from a modern German master instrument. Carefully selected, well-seasoned European tonewoods and traditional hand-building methods produce a violin with excellent clarity, rich overtones, and an expressive voice suitable for advanced students, professional performers, and collectors seeking a fine contemporary handcrafted violin. Every detail, from the arching and graduations to the varnish and tonal adjustment, reflects the Leonhardt family's dedication to creating instruments of exceptional musical character.
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. He studied at the prestigious Mittenwald Violin Making School, completed his journeyman examination in 1982, gained valuable experience working with several respected violin makers, and earned 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 over 350 years of Mittenwald violin-making heritage.
In addition to building fine violins, violas, and cellos, Rainer W. Leonhardt has served as the director of the renowned Mittenwald Museum of Violin Making, demonstrating his deep commitment to preserving Germany's violin-making traditions. His instruments are admired worldwide for their outstanding craftsmanship, carefully matured European tonewoods, elegant varnish work, and refined tonal balance, making them highly sought after by serious musicians and collectors alike.
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.
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.
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.
Check out this Copy of Giuseppe Fiorini violin 1926. Giuseppe Fiorini an Italian luthier, the son and student of Raffaele Fiorini who established the "Rieger and Fiorini" violin-making firm in Munich. A passionate teacher, donating materials and relics to the Municipality of Cremona in order to establish a violin-making school there.
This French violin (copy) has a powerful sound and was made after Roger & Max Millant in Paris. It has a subtle and radiant voice. This violin is in excellent condition, making it suitable for professional musicians.
We have here a Carl Ertl violin Made in 1870 in Presburg, Hungary. Carl Ertl is a luthier from Presburg, Hungary whose instruments show the style and designs of Schweitzer and Leeb.
William Henry Dow was born in Scotland in 1834 and moved to Australia in 1855 to work as a pattern maker at Langlands Port Phillip Foundry in Melbourne. Initially a hobby, he began making violins in his workshop in South Melbourne and received medals for his work at national exhibitions. After retiring from patternmaking, he devoted himself to creating instruments and made over 200 violins by his death in 1928. It is still being determined how many instruments Dow made, as he only started numbering them when he was satisfied with their quality. One of his violins is on display at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.
Please get in touch with Animato Strings on 07 3876 3877 if you want this violin.
We have here a Lillo Salerno Italian violin made in 2019. Lillo Salerno is an Italian luthier born in Sicily, Italy. He went to Cremona Violin Making School then finished his studies in Mittenwald School of Violin Making in Germany in 2005.
Instrument - Violin
Model- Personalized Stradivari
Top - Italian spruce in two pieces
Back - Balkan maple in two pieces
Scroll - From the same wood as the back
Varnish - Oil and amber with a yellow background, red-brown violin.
Notes - The instrument was made with an antique and shows a black bevel on the scroll and points of the bouts.
