The Ex-Isenberg An Important Italian Violin by Pietro Guarneri, Mantua c 1700 Fine & Rare Instruments Property of a Gentleman The Ex-Isenberg An Important Italian Violin by Pietro Guarneri, Mantua c 1700 The one piece back of medium flame, descending to the right, the ribs of similar flame, the scroll of plainer maple, the one piece table of fine to medium grain widening towards the flanks, the plentiful varnish of a lustrous golden- brown colour. Length of back: 353mm The violin is in a very fine state of preservation. Sold with the certificate of Jacques Francais, New York. A full dendrochronology report from Peter Ratcliff. The oldest ring dating from AD 1549 and the youngest ring dating from AD 1700. “Examining the whole of the results, it is immediately apparent that no data belonging to instruments made outside Italy feature in the list of correlations. The other striking aspect that a disproportionately large number of these cross-match with instruments made in the workshop of Antonio Stradivari. In fact, 55% of the instruments listed are from the Stradivarius workshop, almost 80% of which were made before 1705.” Pietro Guarneri (1655-1720) Pietro Guarneri was the eldest son of Andrea Guarneri and older brother of Giuseppe filius Andrea. Pietro started in the workshop of his father from around 1670. Pietro was also a talented violinist and viol player and left Cremona to further his musical career in Mantua, playing violin as a soloist for the Duke of Mantua, and as a viol player in the Gonzaga court orchestra. His playing career must have been busy and successful, as his superbly elegant instruments, are comparatively rare. His easily recognisable model is very reminiscent of Amati, with flowing lines and corners. The f-holes are also Amatise, though the upper and lower holes are larger. His marvellously bold scrolls are particularly distinctive. This example is typical of his very best work and liberally covered with a beautiful, transparent varnish of a golden orange hue. The condition of the violin is also extremely fine. The violin is named by Jacques Francais on his certificate as being the Ex-Isenberg, presumably this refers to Hans Isenberg of Chicago, who owned a number of important violins, including examples by Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu, Antonio Stradivari and Carlo Bergonzi. Many famous soloists in the past have enjoyed playing on his instruments, not least Fritz Kreisler, who owned a fine example from 1707. Watch this superb violin being played by David López Ibáñez David López Ibáñez is a Spanish violinist based in London and the second violinist of the Hill Quartet. In 2020 he graduated from the Royal College of Music with an Artist Diploma supported by the Antonio Brosa Award. At this institution he studied with professor Lucy Russell. David is the recipient of the Ian Stoutzker Award and a chamber music fellow with the Hill Quartet at the Royal Academy of Music. Click here to watch video Consigned to Brompton’s October Fine Sale Arrange a Private Viewing If you have any queries or would like to arrange a private viewing of this instrument, please contact us on +44 (0)20 7670 2932 or send an email to [email protected] Arrange a Video Call Viewing Brompton’s are also providing an online video viewing facility if you are unable to view in person. Please click here to arrange a video call. Fine & Rare Instruments The Royal Institution of Great Britain, 21 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 4BS +44 (0)20 7670 2932 [email protected] www.bromptons.co.