Violas by Category (value)
Most recent additions:
- Ref: 239 Maker: Paris School Year: c.1745 Category: £5,001 - £10,000
- Ref: 202 Maker: J T Lamy Year: c.1880 Category: £2,001 - £5,000
- Ref: 196 Maker: Gill Solomon Year: 1970 Category: £10,001 - £20,000
- Ref: 195 Maker: Alfonso Cappellaro Year: 1983 Category: £5,001 - £10,000
- Ref: 194 Maker: David Milward Year: 2009 Category: £5,001 - £10,000
If at any time you have a special request, like a particular instrument or bow, then please email or phone us with your details. We shall be pleased to do our best for you.
£10,001 - £20,000 violas
Ref: 196 Maker: Gill Solomon Origin: English Year: 1970 Back length: 424mm Status: Sold or on reserve
Gill Solomon is a native New Yorker who trained as a restorer. He came to England in 1968 and soon established himself as a superb craftsman and maker. He has been the custodian of many of the World's greatest instruments, including those belonging to such renown international artists as; Steven Isserlus, Karine Georgian, Sandor Vegh, Szymon Goldberg, Robert Cohen, Uto Ughi, to name but a few.
The viola which we are offering here [on behalf of a retired, top professional player and professor] was made in 1970 and is a splendid example of Solomon's exceptional craftsmanship, being in a mint condition. It is unlabelled but bears the maker's brand 'GS' on the outer bottom rib. The model which he has used for this instrument is based on early Brescian work and this particular instrument has a superb rich tone, full of many varieties of tonal colour. The owner has used this viola as his principle instrument for over thirty five years. £12,500
£5,001 - £10,000 violas
Ref: 195 Maker: Alfonso Cappellaro Origin: Italian Year: 1983 Back length: 414mm Status: Sold or on reserve
ALFONSO CAPPELLARO of Vento [nr. Venice], Italy, has produced some splendid violins and violas and is considered to be a top-ranking 20th Century Italian maker. His work is cleanly executed and he uses the finest of wood. He uses a soft looking oil varnish, as this viola shows, which is an attractive orange, light red-brown colour.
The owners of the viola have played happily on it for over twenty years and kept it in a superb condition. The tone has a great depth and splendid resonance and is even on all four strings. £6,500
Ref: 194 Maker: David Milward Origin: English Year: 2009 Back length: 415mm Status: Sold or on reserve
We have been asked to sell, on behalf of a client a modern viola made by one of England's top, professional makers. The present owners are reluctant to sell this instrument, since it has a tone that is full, rich and responsive, but the size of the viola has proved a little too large for them.
DAVID MILWARD's viola is stylistically his own conception and we feel he has achieved an instrument which is both artistic and acceptable [refer to images]. The wood which he has chosen is visually and acoustically of the highest order. The oil varnish is tastefully and gently 'antiqued' with a texture and patina very acceptable. We particularly like this instrument! £9,000.
Ref: 239 Maker: Paris School Origin: French Year: c.1745 Back length: 418mm
The old Paris School of making in France [vieux Paris] during the 18th century and particularly the first half of that century, produced some very interesting makers, whose work established a 'fashion' of making that can be identified as 'French' of the old school. Towards the end of that century however, the work of the great Italians like Strad and Guarneri were influencing French makers as well as English.
The viola which we offer here is an instrument of the VIEUX PARIS school made circa 1745 and is attributed to ANDREA CASTAGNERI. To begin with, its size is unusual [just under 16.1/2"] in that the majority of violas of this period were smaller. It is also in a very well preserved condition, considering its age [what appear to be cracks are in fact iron marks in the wood] and has an attractive, light honey-coloured varnish.
The tone is exceptional!
£2,001 - £5,000 violas
Ref: 154 Maker: Dennis Plowright Origin: English Year: 1992 Back length: 413mm Status: Sold or on reserve
An extremely good modern viola by this well known English maker. Based on the Strad model, the viola is made from the finest of wood and thus, possesses an excellent tone.
It contains the maker's written label dated '1992' and numbered 151 together with the maker's brand 'D.P. Plowright' on the outer, bottom rib.
The viola is in a mint condition and covered in a golden varnish. It offers ideal value for a progressing student. £2,250
Ref: 202 Maker: J T Lamy Origin: French Year: c.1880 Size: 394mm Status: Sold or on reserve
Another very good French viola made in the workshops of THIBOUVILLE-LAMY at Mirecourt circa 1880 which is in a near perfect condition. Based on the Strad model, from attractive wood and covered in a honey, orange-brown varnish, this is an ideal instrument for a player of Grade VIII plus.
The tone is exceptional; full of power and resonance across all four strings. £3,250
Up to £2,000 (students' instruments) violas
IMPORTANT NOTICE. We would ask that you read about our 'Buy Back Guarantee'. We try to carry a varied stock of student violins to suit every pocket, ranging from £500 to £2,000. We purchase only those instruments which are in a near-perfect, mint or near-mint condition and each is set up with the best quality fittings.
Ref: 124 Maker: Amédée Dieudonné Origin: French Year: 1922 Back length: 379mm Status: Sold or on reserve
Petite violas of quality are few and far between. We are especially pleased, therefore, to offer one which was made by Amédée Dieudonné. The condition is mint and it is covered in a beautiful rich, red varnish. The tone of this viola is remarkably powerful and rich.
New hand-made violas
In addition to the older instruments recommended for students (up to about grade VIII standard), we are delighted to offer hand-made instruments from two of the finest workshops in China. The images, where shown, give a good indication of their high quality. We choose them for their exceptional craftsmanship and choice of wood, many of which are made from European wood (Balkan maple and Italian spruce) and also the use of a superb oil varnish, tastefully antiqued. They are finished and set up in our workshop with the finest fittings, strings and materials, in order to offer a sound of the highest quality.
Ref: 151 Maker: (various) Origin: Chinese Year: n/a Size: [various]
Indicative price range: £700 - £2,000.