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 1950s. 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 by Nicholas Augustin Chappuy, Mirecourt, 1748. Length is 40.0cm. (15 1/2"). Chappuy was 18 years old when this instrument was made. He moved to Paris where he became one of the best known and prolific makers of his day, especially of gambas and quintons made in 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. CM# 3552 

Chappuy Front	Chappuy Back	Chappuy Side	Chappuy F hole	Chappuy Scroll Front	Chappuy Scroll Side	Chappuy Brand

Viola by Giuseppe Giannarelli, ca 1930. 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 this vintage for such a reasonable price. CM# 3228

Giannarelli Front	Giannarelli Back	Giannarelli Side	Giannarelli F hole	Giannarelli Scroll Front	Giannarelli Scroll Side

Carletti Front	Carletti Back	Carletti Side	Carletti F hole	Carletti Scroll Front	Carletti Scroll Side

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

Carón Front	Carón Back	Carón Side	Carón F Hole	Carón Scroll Front	Carón Scroll Side

Viola by David Carón, Taos, NM, 1995. Length is 16 inches or 40.7 cm. This viola is David’s 125^th 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

Carón Front	Carón Back	Carón Side	Carón F hole	Carón Scroll Front	Carón Scroll Side

SOLD:Viola by William Forster Senior, London, ca 1770. 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. CM# 3439

Forster front	Forster Back	Forster Side	Forster F hole	Forster Scroll front	Forster Scroll side	Forster Label

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. It 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 that 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