This illustration of a violin by Joseph Guarnerius, filius Andreae was published in The Strad, July 1937. The following text is extracted from the article accompanying the photographs:
This violin is of especial interest inasmuch, according to the eminent authority Mr Alfred Hill, there are distinct signs that Joseph Guarnerius del Gesù participated in its construction, especially the head and that the violin might justly be considered as their joint production.
If the date given on the label it contains is authentic – that given is 1714 – it must have been made when filius Andreae was 48 and del Gesù a youth of sixteen. Joseph del Gesù would have been an apprentice for at least three or four years and no doubt quite capable of producing a very presentable instrument on his own account.
A further point which makes this example an outstanding one is the unusually handsome material used. The violins of Joseph Guarnerius filius Andreae are rarely noticeable either from the use of handsome wood or even carefully chosen material. An explanation is that Joseph filius Andreae, and his father before him, did not enjoy the patronage of either Court or Church dignitaries as did Stradivari or the Amatis. .
This violin is to be numbered amongst the best this master left to us, and in this there are no signs of hasty work or thoughtless choice of wood. The excellent state of preservation can been seen from the photographs.
The principal measurements of this instrument are: Length of Body 13 15/16th inches; Width of Lower Bouts 8 inches; Upper 6 9/16th inches; Middle 4 5/16th inches; Depth of Ribs 1 3/16th to 1 ¼ inches; Edge to Soundhole Nicks 7 11/16th inches.
No comments yet