I have a violin that my wife bought at an auction (fair condition). On the back of the neck, there is an imprint of the name PAGANINI.
I would like to be more informed as to the authenticity of this instrument before I enter a dealership to ascertain an opinion. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I would get in contact with these people:
http://www.galleryofhistory.com/archive/1_2003/music/NICCOLO_PAGANINI.htm
They have the history of all things Paganini..
Hopefully this helps…
3 Responses to “Did Paganini engrave his violins?”
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I would get in contact with these people:
http://www.galleryofhistory.com/archive/1_2003/music/NICCOLO_PAGANINI.htm
They have the history of all things Paganini..
Hopefully this helps…
References :
‘ Antiques Roadshow ‘ over PBS is a good place to get first class input as these people are very knowledgeable and constantly employed in this type of thing.
Personally, I doubt it. Replete as the nineteenth century was with hyperbole I think the performers of that time would’ve wanted to separate their personal lives from the world at large from their performing lives.
There is an excellent drawing by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres of Paganinni facing head on.
( Click on here: )
http://portrait.kaar.at/Musikgeschichte%2019.Jhd%20Teil%202/images/niccolo_paganini.jpg
Austere and direct it bespeaks the man. I doubt he would’ve done anything to break the resonating qualities of the instrument in any way.
The probability of it being a Stradivarius being quite good and it’s preceding reputation. This is a conjecture, of course. Hope this helps.
References :
Nicolo Paganini; or "Old Nick" as we called him during my long-ago university days; as far as I know never engraved his name on any of his instruments. And he played several, not just the violin.
However, as the virtuoso of the day, he was always being given gifts from admirers and patrons who may have done so.
Look inside the "f" holes, on either side of the strings to see if there is the violin makers name either engraved or branded inside the instrument.
Either way, take very great care of it until you get it appraised by BOTH Sotheby’s & Christies – the only two I would trust to properly identify your fabulous find.
References :
B.A. in Musicology, (a.k.a. Music History).