Violas

 

 

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The Instruments shown here represent a sampling from our collection.
Please contact us with your needs and we will do our best to find the right instrument for you.

Viola by Vencenzo Cavani,  Spilamberto, 1905.  Born in 1889, this award winning maker completed his first violin at age 11, and his first cello at age 13.  If the date on this original label is correct, he would have been 16 years of age when it was finished.  However, in his later years, Cavani was known to pre-date some of his instruments, and my experience tells me that this viola, which is in nearly mint condition, probably dates from the 1950’s.  This Viola is a very fine example of the maker’s work.  16 1/8 inches (41 cm) CM#3536

Cavani Front

Cavani Back

Cavani Side

Cavani F hole

Cavani Scroll Front

Cavani Scroll Side

Viola byWilliam Forster Senior, London ca 1770, CM# 3439 Length is 39.5cm

This beautiful Viola is a lovely example of the maker’s work from this period. It has a one piece back of beautifully flamed wood with much of the original varnish intact and bears the original label from the maker. This could be a wonderful instrument for a violinist who loves to double on viola.

Forster front

Forster Back

Forster Side

Forster F hole

Forster Scroll front

Forster Scroll side

Forster Label

Viola by Nicholas Augustin Chappuy, Mirecourt 1748, CM# 3552  Length is 40.0cm (15 1/2")

Chappuy was 18 years old when this instrument was made. He moved to Paris where he became on of the best known and prolific makers of his day, especially of gambas and quintons made it the French style with beautifully carved heads.

This viola is in a remarkable condition, bearing the maker's original label and brand, as well as a repair label dated 1836 showing us when the modern neck was fitted.

Chappuy Front

Chappuy Back

Chappuy Side

Chappuy F hole

Chappuy Scroll Front

Chappuy Scroll Side

Chappuy Brand

Viola by Giuseppe Giannarelli ca 1930, CM# 3228 Length is 41.6cm  Label "Ricardo Antoniazzi Cremonese"

 This is a very fine sounding viola in near mint condition, with beautiful, highly flamed maple back, sides and scroll.  It is very rare to find an Italian viola of thsi vintage for such a reasonable price

Giannarelli Front

Giannarelli Back

Giannarelli Side

Giannarelli F hole

Giannarelli Scroll Front

Giannarelli Scroll Side

Viola by Guerro Bianchi, Cattolica 1989, CM#3518 Length is 41.3cm.

Very beautiful example by this fine modern Italian maker. Highly flamed one piece back, sides and scroll of equally attractive wood. Light orange-brown varnish. This instrument is in new condition.  Bright, clear sound, with quick response, yet plenty of depth in the bass.  Certificate by the maker.

Bianchi Front

Bianchi Back

Bianchi Side

Bianchi F hole

Bianchi Scroll Front

Bianchi Scroll Side

Viola by Matale Carletti ca 1950, CM#3371 Length is 42.1cm Label Ansaldo Poggi, Bologna 1921

Carletti Front

Carletti Back

Carletti Side

Carletti F hole

Carletti Scroll Front

Carletti Scroll Side

Viola by David Carón, Taos, N.M., 1986.  Length is 16 7/16 inches or 41.8 cm.  This Viola is David’s 77th instrument.  CM#3161.

This viola is a very fine example of the maker's work from this period.  It has a very powerful, warm, and clean tone, with great response.

Caron Front

Caron Back

Caron Side

Caron F Hole

Caron Scroll Front

Caron Scroll Side

Viola by David Carón, Taos, N.M., 1995.  Length is 16 inches or 40.7 cm.  This Viola is David’s 125th instrument.  The Back and sides are very beautiful, of highly flamed Bosnian Maple, the top is Engelmann Spruce.  The Varnish is David’s very fine oil varnish which is a deep orange-brown color over a golden base.  The tone is clear and projecting and will fill any hall.  CM#3322

Caron Front

Caron Back

Caron Side

Caron F hole

Caron Scroll Front

Caron Scroll Side

Violas custom made by David Carón upon request!

SOLD: Viola by Pierre Pacherele, Nice 1858.   Pacherele was a French maker who spent the greater part of his career in Turin making instruments for Johannes Pressende.  This viola, the very best example of the maker’s work that I have seen, actually bears his own label and is a bench copy of an Amati viola was most likely made as a special commission for an important customer.With a beautiful one-piece back, highly flamed sides and scroll, deep red-brown varnish and near mint condition, this viola is a great choice for anyone seeking a fine investment quality instrument.  Clear rich tone with quick response.  Certificate from William Moennig & Sons.    CM# 3479

SOLD: Viola by Nicolo Gagliano, Naples, 1763.  Certificates by W. E. Hill & Sons and Emil Hermann. This instrument is a very rare and important example of the master's work. Very few violas were made by the Italian masters of the 18th century, and only a small percentage of their production were what we consider today to be full-sized.  This was especially true of the Neapolitan School whose violas were rarely larger than 151/4 inches in length.  The magnificent example you see pictured below is a full 16" in length, with generous proportions throughout the body, and is the only full-sized Gagliano family viola I have seen in my entire 26 year career.  The instrument is in an unusually fine state of preservation, with only one minor crack in the belly, and retains more than 90% of its original varnish.  The tone is clear, singing and powerful, with a rich palette of colors which require little effort to produce.  I feel truly privileged to offer this wonderful instrument. 

SOLD: Viola by CH. J.B. Collin-Mezin, Paris, 1950.  Length is 42cm.  It is in mint condition and represents the highest grade from the workshop of that period.  CM#3438

 

 

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Last modified: May 26, 2007