The Ifshin Collection of Fine Violas
The Ifshin Collection of Fine Cellos
The Ifshin Collection of Fine Basses
The Ifshin Collection of Fine Bows
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Fine Violins in the Ifshin Violins Collection

We at Ifshin Violins have always been proud of our extensive collection of fine string instruments and bows. We currently are fortunate to have an unusually large selection of fine violins. If any of these fine violins are of interest to you, please give us a call. We will be delighted to give you more information. On instruments which include a thumbnail picture, you may click directly on the thumbnail to view a larger image. When you are finished, please use the back button on your browser to return to this page.

up Violins Over $20,000

GuadagniniJ.B. Guadagnini, Parma, 1760. After Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesu, the instruments of Giovanni Baptista Guadagnini are the most sought after both by soloists and collectors. Guadagnini worked in five different cities during his career. The year before this violin was made, Guadagnini had moved from Cremona to Parma at the invitation of the ducal court of the Bourbons. He had already developed a reputation as one of the greatest makers of his time. This fine example has a wonderful warm, rich tone and is in an excellent state of preservation.

GuarneriGiuseppe Guarneri Filius Andrea, Cremona, c. 1710. Joseph Filius was the son of Andrea Guarneri and continued the prosperous business in his father's shop. Joseph's third son was the great Giuseppe Guarneri "del Gesu." We are delighted to be able to offer this superb masterpiece. The tone is brilliant, complex, and responsive. This is a great instrument for a soloist or concertmaster.

SolianiAngelo Soliani, Modena, 1790. This beautiful violin is the best work we have seen by Soliani. It was made on the model of J.B. Guadagnini. The varnish is a striking red-orange and the tone is full, warm, and rich. An outstanding violin for the professional musician.


J.B.J.B. Vuillaume, Paris, c. 1860. It seems that the demand for J.B. Vuillaume violins keeps growing all the time. This violin is in superb condition and has a clear, highly responsive tone.


Eugenio Praga, Genoa, 1879. We are especially fond of the work of Eugenio Praga. The expert Eric Blot in his "Liuteria Italiana 1860-1960" describes Praga as "one of the most important exponents of Italian violin making in the second half of the 19th Century. This violin was made a year after Praga took over the Genoa workshop of his teacher Nicolo Bianchi. Tonally, this violin has warmth, richness and a great deal of depth.

AntoniazziRomeo Antoniazzi, Cremona, 1910. Romeo Antoniazzi worked both with his father Gaetano and his brother Riccardo. He also made a number of instruments for Leandro Bisiach. Over the years, we have had a number of violins by Antoniazzi but this violin but this violin may well be the best of all. It is in almost perfect condition with only minimal wear to the varnish and no repairs. The tone is also exceptional, brilliant with depth and character, powerful and very responsive.

GarimbertiFerdinando Garimberti, Milan, 1961. Garimberti is considered one of the best of the modern Italian masters. He is especially noted for the beauty and elegance of his workmanship. He studied both with the Antoniazzi brothers and Leandro Bisiach. This violin dates from Garimberti's best period and has a brilliant, powerful tone.

BernardelAuguste Sebastien Philippe Bernardel, Paris, 1834. In the 19th. Century the most important violin makers were in Paris. It was the music capital of the world. A.S.P. Bernardel trained in Mirecourt and went to Paris while still in his teens to work with the great Nicolas Lupot. After nine years he opened his own shop. This unusually fine violin is reminiscent of Lupot's work and has a powerful, brilliant tone. It is a great violin for either a soloist or for a professional symphony orchestra musician.

BellafontanaLorenzo Bellafontana, Genoa, 1948. This interesting violin was made during Bellafontana's best period (1945-50) during which he developed his personal style. He studied with the great Oreste Candi and was helped by Cesare Candi and Giuseppe Lecchi. He was also the Curator of the "Cannon" Guarneri, the violin of the great Paganini. This violin is in excellent condition and has a powerful, brilliant tone.

FrediRudolfo Fredi, Rome, 1913. A member of the nobility, Count Rudolfo Fredi was probably the best Roman maker of his time. This violin has a warm, full tone with great character. Very good condition.


FarottoCelestino Farotto, Milan, 1915. Farotto had a very prosperous shop in Milan. His work was in great demand. His instruments won medals at important exhibitions including Milan, Turin, Rome and San Francisco. This violin is a nice example showing fine workmanship and excellent materials. The tone is smooth, brilliant and responsive.

PetragliaEmilio Petraglia, Buenos Aires, 1918. Emilio Petraglia was one of a number of Italians who were lured to Argentina for the tremendous opportunities available there and immigrated to Buenos Aires from Calabria while still in his teens. He studied violin making with his countryman Giovanni Capalbo starting when he first arrived. This violin is an interesting early work by this maker and has an excellent tone and is in fine condition.

GemunderGeorge Gemunder, New York, 1857. This violin represents Gemunder at his best. This violin still shows the influence of the several years he spent in the J.B. Vuillaume workshop in Paris. Excellent condition and tone.


PanormoPanormo School, possibly George Panormo. This violin bears a label of Vencenzo Panormo. We believe it to be by a member of the Panormo family, possibly Vincenzo's son George. The sound is very warm and rich.


RossiGiuseppe Rossi, Rome, early 20th Century. This maker was highly esteemed in his own time, having won medals at seven important competitions between 1893 and 1918. He was also the teacher and mentor of the legendary maker and restorer Fernando Saconi. This violin has a fine, warm tone with a great deal of depth. Very good condition.


PoirsonElophe Poirson, Lyon, 1898. Over the years, we have had several instruments by this interesting and important maker. This example is perhaps the best. The tone is responsive, vibrant, and lively. The condition is very good.



ResucheCharles Résuche, Bordeaux, 1900. Resuche was noted for the elegance and beauty of his workmanship and as an expert copyist. This lovely violin, modeled after Guarneri, is very striking in both workmanship and tone. He worked for the best makers in Paris and Lyon before coming to Bordeaux three years before this violin was made.

Jacques Boquay, Paris, 171_. As 18th Century Italian violins become more expensive and unaffordable for many, Parisian violins of that era are becoming more and more in demand and often represent a excellent value. This violin has a beautiful and vibrant tone that is especially responsive.


PoirsonElophe Poirson, Lyon, 1898. This violin has an exceptional tone, warm and rich with great depth.



NovelliNatale Novelli, Milan, 1956. Novelli was the pupil of Pedrazzini. This violin has a warm, full tone and is in excellent condition.



PuglisiConcetto Puglisi, Catania, 1923. We offer two violins by Puglisi which we feel are an excellent value in a quality Italian violin. With both instruments, the tone is warm and surprisingly responsive.


CastagninoGiuseppe Castagnino, Chiavari (Genoa), 1962. Castagnino had a long career as a maker and won medals and awards at numerous competitions. He was influenced by a number of makers and spent a brief period with Giuseppe Fiorini in Munich. This violin has a warm, full tone.

Giuseppe Lucci, Rome, 1960. This beautiful violin was made when Lucci was creating his best work. Deep red-orange varnish and nice, responsive, rich tone.



up Violins From $10,000 to $20,000

MagriniCesare Magrini, Bologna, 1984. Magrini has become one of the most important makers of the Bologna school and this violin displays the best characteristics of the Bologna makers.



PilatPilat Paul, Budapest, 1902. in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, Budapest was one of the music capitals of the world. It's not surprising that there were great violin makers there as well. Pilat Paul was one of the most important of these makers and his instruments are highly sought after. This violin has an exceptional tone and is in excellent condition.

Marcello Bellei, Modena, 2007. We just received this excellent violin by on of our favorite up and coming Italian makers. This is a reproduction of the work of Augusto Pollastri. The workmanship is beautiful and elegant. The tone is full and warm.

LevaggiSilvio Levaggi, Cremona, 2007. This violin is one of the most striking in appearance we have ever seen. The workmanship is absolutely flawless and beautiful. We met this gifted maker over a year ago and were so impressed with his work that we ordered a violin. It took over a year to get it. it was worth the wait! The back and sides are of a most interesting bird's eye maple of small figure. The tone is big and responsive but with warmth and depth.

KienitzBeate Kienitz, San Gimignano, 2006. Beate grew up in Rome, but was trained in Germany at the Mittenwald school. She has worked at important shops in Germany and London restoring fine old instruments. She returned to Italy in '91 where she has concentrated on making. Her work displays the best of both the German and Italian traditions. This violin displays elegant, flawless workmanship and a powerful, responsive tone.

Marcello Bellei, A year ago, Mr. Ifshin met this gifted maker in Europe and was most impressed with his work. He is clearly one of the most talented makers of his generation. In fact, our faith in his work is so strong that we have five excellent examples. He studied with Scrollavezza at the school in Parma. This violin is an excellent reproduction of the work of Marino Capicchioni. The tone is brilliant, lively, and responsive.

TadioliMaurizio Tadioli, Cremona, 2007. Tadioli has become one of the most respected and successful of the current Cremona makers. He specializes in reproductions of the great Cremonese masters, especially Guarneri del Gesu. This violin is a reproduction of the "Carrodus" Guarneri of 1743. It has a wonderful full, warm tone.

RossiLorenzo Rossi, Milan, 2007. Rossi graduated from the Parma school headed by Scrollevezza and has also studied with Greg Alf, Guy Rabut, and Carlos Arcieri in New York before opening his workshop. We have just received this violin and were immediately impressed with the beauty and elegance of the workmanship as well as the tone.

MinnozziMarco Minnozzi, Ravenna, 2007. Marco Minnozzi has been making violins for over 25 years. He trained with Renato Scrollavezza in Parma and has worked with V. Nigogosian, Horacio Pineiro, and Rene Morel in New York. His work is sought after all over the world. This beautifully crafted violin has a full, warm tone.

AschauerLeo Aschauer, Mittenwald, dated 1919. This important maker taught violin making at the Mittenwald school for many decades. He trained some of the best European makers working today. This violin shows superb craftsmanship and a fine brillinat, responsive tone.


MilitelloMario & Gandolof Militello, Buenos Aires, 1914. From the early to mid 20th Century, a number of excellent Italian violin makers settled in Argentina, where a vibrant cultural life was growing. The Militello Brothers trained in Italy with Antonio Sgarbi befor emigrating. Gandolof stayed until 1930, but Mario remained in Argentina until his death in 1987. The tone of this interesting violin is full, responsive, and has great depth.

Mario De Vincenzi, Genoa, 1982. This exceptionally beautiful violin, made very much in the style of the great Genoese makers, has a powerful, brilliant tone.



Maurice Bourguignon, Brussels, 1925. After apprenticing with Chevrier in Mirecourt (from age 13) and working at major shops in Paris, Bourguignon went to Brussels and worked with G. Mougenot. He took over his shop in 1910. During his career, he won numerous medals for his work. This violin is in superb condition and has a powerful, brilliant tone.

CiciliatiAlessandro Ciciliati, Ferrara, 2002. (Several examples.) Ciciliati is one of the foremost contemporary Italian makers. His work is always beautiful. We have had several of his violins and these are some of the best. The example shown is representative of the quality of workmanship you may expect from this master.

DerazeyHonore Derazey, Mirecourt, c. 1850. This violin is an excellent example of this famous French maker's fine craftsmanship. The instrument has a huge, powerful tone that is lively and vibrant.


A. GemunderAugust Gemunder, New York, 1885. The Gemunder family were the most important American makers of their time. August was tremendously successful both as a maker and dealer. His work was and is in great demand. This exceptional violin represents his personal work at its best. The tone is brilliant, powerful and responsive.

PrimaveraAlfredo Primavera, Cremona, 1988. Primavera has worked both in Cremona and the USA. He trained at the Cremona school and work with Capellini as well as the family shop in Philadelphia. The back, sides and scroll are of very beautiful Italian poplar.


RivaMattia Paolo Riva, Varese, 2008. We recently met this gifted maker and were very impressed with his work. This striking violin has a lustrous red-orange varnish. The tone is also impressive, powerful, brilliant, and tremendously responsive.


ScrollavezzaScrollavezza & Zanré, Parma, 2007. Elisa's father Renato Scrollavezza founded the famous violin making school in Parma so she was deeply involved in the world of violin making from childhood. In 2002, Elisa formed a partnership with Andrea Zanré, also a Scrollavezza student. In their workshop in the historic center of Parma, they concentrate on making new instruments along with training the next generation of violin makers. Mr. Ifshin just chose three violins from their selection and we are delighted with them. We also chose two of the violins made in their Parma workshop under their direction which represent an excellent value.

whedbeeWilliam Whedbee, Chicago, 2001. One of the best known contemporary makers, Whedbee's cellos are in great demand. He makes only a few violins and this example, in like new condition, has a powerful yet sympathetic tone quality.


TonarelliDaniele Tonarelli, Cremona, 2007. After graduating from the school of violin making in Cremona thirteen years ago, Daniele Tonarelli has distinguished himself in a number of competitions around the world. This beautifully crafted violin is in the classic modern Cremona style. The tone is even, warm and clear.

ColliniRoberto Collini, Crema , 2007. Collini studied at the Cremona school with Scolari, Morassi, and Conia. Over the years he has won many medals at international competitions. We have two of his beautiful violins, both excellent Guarneri copies.


NolliMarco Nolli, Cremona, 2000. Nolli, like many of the top Cremona makers, was fortunae to have been at the school when Stefano Conia and Giorgio Scolari were teaching there. Since graduation, he has won numberous medals at competitions all over Italy and has launched a very successful career. This violin is now a few years old and has been "played in." The tone is smooth, clear and responsive.

PerrardEugene Perrard, Paris, 1934. Perrard worked with Caressa in Paris and in London with Dykes before setting up on his own in 1928 in Sannois (a suburb of Paris). This violin has a beautiful red varnish and has an excellent tone.


J & P Diter, Marseille, 1908. This striking violin has a beautiful red-orange varnish (made from Vuillaume's formula). The wood is also beautiful and the condition is superb. The tone is quick, responsive and brilliant.


GuersonLouis Guerson, Paris, 1747. Guerson was one of the important Parisian makers of the 18th Century. This fine violin has a smooth, warm tone.



EberleJohann Ulrich Eberle, Prague, c. 1750. The Prague makers of the 18th. Century are highly regarded for their beautiful workmanship. This violin has a beautiful clear, silvery tone. This violin is in a very good state of preservation.


Fabrizio Di Pietrantonio, Livorno, 2004. Born in Livorno in 1964, Pietrantonio worked with several important makers who trained him in the traditions of the Bisiach family and especially Igino Sderci. This violin is a reproduction of the model of J.B. Guadagnini and has a wonderful, rich tone of great character.

VoiryCharles Voiry, Toulouse, 1951. This violin is especially beautiful with a rich, ruby-red varnish and is in almost new condition. This tone is brilliant, powerful, clear and responsive.


Interesting 19th Century Italian, violin, School of Rinaldi with a scroll after Gagliano.

Leonard Zeile, London, 1908. In the past, English violins were overlooked in favor of those from the more famous Italian and French makers. This has been changing as musicians realize that British instruments offer a real value. Although not much is known about Zeile, we feel that this violin has an exceptional tone, warm and rich.

Wolfgang Schiele, Munich, 2005. Born in Berlin, Schiele started playing the violin at the age of ten and studied violin making at the famous Mittenwald school. He gained experience in making and restoring at important shops in Paris, London, and New York and has had his own shop in Munich since 1990. Schiele is known for the beauty and accuracy of his workmanship. This violin has a brilliant, powerful, responsive tone.

Edward C. Campbell, Boiling Springs, PA, 1965. Ed Campbell is well known and respected by most of us in the violin world. He has been making fine violins as well as teaching aspiring makers in his shop in central PA since the late 1950's and has won three gold medals and numerous certificates for tone and workmanship at Violin Society of America competitions. This violin dates from his best period and shows the finest workmanship. It has a nice warm tone and is in excellent condition.

MeuwissenThomas Meuwissen, Brussels, 2002. A beautifully made and varnished violin by this award winning maker. Powerful, brilliant tone.



Collin-MezinCh. J.B. Collin-Mezin, Mirecourt, 1890. The workshop of Charles J.B. Collin-Mezin (1841-1923) has always been considered among the best of all the Mirecourt workshops. Although production continued under his son until the 1950s, the most desirable Collin-Mezin instruments date from before 1900. This violin has the classic beauty and superb workmanship of their very best work. The condition is exceptional and the tone is brilliant, powerful and highly responsive.

up Violins From $6,000 to $10,000

Giustino Dal Canto, Castelfranco di Sotto (Pisa), 1959.




Herman Geipel, Schonbach, c.1890. Geipel has become one of our favorite makers of the German/Bohemian school. This violin is a reproduction of the work of Gennaro Gagliano and is in almost perfect condition.


Henry Richard Knopf, New York, 1934. A member of a very famous family of violin and bow makers, H.R. Knopf studied with his father Heinrich and other important makers in Germany before coming to this country. He established what was to become a very important and successful shop in New York. Tonally, this violin has a brilliant, clear and responsive tone.

Herman Geipel, Brambach (Saxony), 1899. As you can see from the photos, this is an exceptionally beautiful violin and is the finest work by this maker we have seen. The tone quality is unusually fine, warm, and rich.


Alessandro Commendulli, Cremona, 2007. We just received two exceptional violins from this gifted maker. Commendulli graduated from the renowned school in Cremona and set up his own workshop several years ago. His workmanship is impeccable and for our violins, he chose unusually beautiful and striking maple for the back. The tone is warm and responsive.

Hans Edler, Munich, 1921. Before opening his own business in Munich, Edler studied with and worked for Giuseppe Fiorini, the great maker from Bologna. This violin shares many of the qualities of Fiorini's work.


Ernst Heinrich Roth, Markneukirchen, 1926. The wonderful violins from the Roth workshops of the 1920's have become legendary. The are so beautifully made, with the best materials, that they are a real value. Had Roth instruments been made in Italy rather than Germany, they would be several times the price. This exceptional example is striking in appearance, is in almost flawless condition and has an especially nice tone.

Charles Wolf, Salt Lake, 2001. This important maker is now the director of the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City. This beautifully made violin has a powerful, brilliant tone.

FickerGustave August Ficker, Mittenwald, 1952. The Gustave August Ficker instruments were made for William Lewis & Son in Chicago. This violin, created on a Gagliano model, is one of the best we have seen.



Eugene Henry, Paris, 1879. William Henley describes Eugene Henry as "the best Parisian luthier of his day." The workmanship is elegant and beautiful with a sound to match.


Claudio Maria Mannolari, Cremona, 1999. This violin is in the classic modern Cremona style with the beautiful red-orange varnish so typical of the masters at the Cremona violin making school. Powerful, brilliant tone.


Paul Magenot, Mirecourt, 1908.

Charles Buthod, Mirecourt, late 19th Century. This exceptionally beautiful violin shows the elegance and charm of French violin making at its best. This violin is in superb condition.



Nicolas Duchene, Mirecourt, mid 19th Century.

Michela Veluti Tadioli, Cremona, 2007. Michela is the wife of Maurizio Tadioli and her work shares some stylistic similarities. And yet, she has her own personal working style. Because she is not yet as famous as her husband, her violins represent an exceptional value. This violin has a nice full, warm tone with a mature quality.

Scrollavezza & Zanré Workshop, Parma, 2007. Pressenda copy.




Ernst Heinrich Roth, Bubenreuth, 2003. One of the best known names in the violin world is that of Ernst Heinrich Roth. Beginning in the early 1920's, this workshop produced some of the best workshop violins to be found. Today, they maintain two workshops in Markneukirchen and Bubenreuth. With only five makers, they concentrate on high quality instruments. Jay Ifshin purchased this beautiful violin directly from Ernst Heinrich Roth IV.

Leon Mougenot, Mirecourt (labeled Paris), 1921. Before setting up his own workshop, Mougenot worked for the most important makers and dealers, including Hills in London. His work is highly respected for both workmanship and tone.


Old German, Oddone label.

branded E.H. Berlin, possibly from the shop of Emil Herrmann.

Carlo Nicolo Loso, Cremona, 2003.




Luigi Villa, Pisano (near Milan). We have several examples by this maker. See more detailed information.



Dino Lelli, Cesena. We had the good fortune to acquire a collection of violins, violas and cellos directly from this fine maker. We are delighted with the quality of his instruments. See more detailed information.

J.N. Aschow, Oakland, 1915.

Franz Placht, Schönbach, 1772.

Romano Gaiani, Ferrara, 1995.
Scrollavezza & Zanré Workshop, Parma, 2007. Bergonzi copy.

Johann Hermman Voigt, Stuttgart, c. 1920.

Daniel Delfour, Toulouse, 2002. This beautifully crafted violin has a brilliant, responsive tone. This is an exceptional value as this instrument has been priced to sell.

Labeled Duiffoprugger, old French.
Labeled Joannes Scheverle, Prague, 1761.
Saxony, c. late 18th Century.
Robert Knisch, Vienna, 1927.
August Heck, Chicago, 1889.

josephsPierre Josephs, San Francisco, 1886.

A. Foster, Sheffield, 1934.

up Violins From $3,000 to $6,000

Ernst Heinrich Roth, Marneukirchen, 1924.
Alfred Lanini, San Jose, 1951.

Ignaz Lutz, San Francisco, 1922.Lutz originally came from Vienna and worked in several European capitals before moving to the U.S. Most of his violins were reproductions of the "Erlich" Stradivarius of 1724 which he owned for many years.



Ernst Heinrich Roth, Bubenreuth, 1958. Roth has always made violins in a variety of quality grades. This violin is one of their best. Built on the Guarneri del Gesu model, it is very slightly under normal dimensions (352 mm).

Collin-Mezin, Mirecourt, 1928 (7/8 size).
Breton, Mirecourt.
Old French, labeled Bailly.
Collin-Mezin, Mirecourt, 1946.
Copy of G. Guarneri, old French.
Didelot, Mirecourt, 1928.
Vuillaume copy, Mirecourt, JTL.
Ernst Heinrich Roth, Bubenreuth, 1960.
Charrotte-Millot, Mirecourt.
Olav Brevik, Milwaukee, c. 1950.
P. Buscher, Mirecourt.
Klaus Heffler, Forcheim, model 706.
Labeled Modello, R. & A. Gagliano.
Amati label, P. Beuscher.
Ludwig Christian Bausch, Leipzig, 1850.
Old German, Klotz school.
Copie de Stradivarius, Mirecourt.
Jacques Leclerc, Mirecourt.
Georges Michel, Aubert workshop, Mirecourt.
Modele J.B. Vuillaume, Aubert workshop.
Copy of Testore, Thibouville-Lamy, Mirecourt (7/8 size).
Paillot, Mirecourt.
Max Willibald Schmidt, San Francisco, 1926.
Copy of Joseph Guarnerius, Saxony c.1900.
Hopf Family, Klingenthal, C. 1820.


up Violins From $1,000 to $3,000


August Liebich for Lyon & Healy.
Unlabeled, Mirecourt, 7/8.
Neuner & Hornsteiner, Mittenwald, c. 1900. 7/8 size.
Stradivarius Copy, Markneukirchen, c. 1900.

Jay Haide, à l'ancienne,. Our latest reproduction in the à l'ancienne series is of a Tomasso Balestrieri from the Ifshin collection. These instruments are enjoyed by advanced students and have recently become possible as a nice sounding alternative for professional players that do not want to travel with more expensive instruments.

(Click here for further information on our Jay Haide instruments.)

Kremona, Bulgaria, model VP1.
Heinrich Gill, Bubenreuth, model 56.

The popular Jay Haide 104 model is an excellent choice for an intermediate to advanced student.




up Violins Under $1,000

Klaus Heffler, Forcheim, 2005.
Kremona, Bulgaria, model VP3.

Jay Haide, Model 101. This fully handmade instrument is an excellent choice for a promising player on a budget.



(Click here for further information on our Jay Haide instruments.)
Alois Sandner, model #8121.
Alois Sandner, model #8120.
Borceto.


up Violin Bows

We also have a fine selection of violin bows by such makers as: Victor Fetique, Emile Ouchard, W. E. Hill & Sons, Cuniot-Hury, Roger Gerome, Vidoudez, Morizot, Marcel Lapierre, Albert Nurnberger, G.A., H.R. and F.C. Pfretzschner, F. Daugin, Morgan Andersen and many more. Please see our Fine Bow page for a full listing.

Of course, our collection of fine violins is always changing. We strongly recommend that you call before you come in, to see what instruments are available for you to try.