Amon Bilmark's work from the 1930s adhered closely to the skills he acquired during his apprenticeship under Simone Sacconi in Rome, with whom he studied until 1929, the year he moved to South Africa and two years before Sacconi moved to the US. These instruments were firmly rooted in pure Italian traditions, were exceptionally well-crafted with impeccable attention to detail and sounded as good as one could wish for.

Bilmark (1894-1961) was born in Copenhagen as Amon Peter Nielsen, but changed his name to Bilmark in 1917. In 1949 Bilmark was awarded the Diplôme d'Honneur for two violins he presented at the International Violin Making Competition at La Haye. He was honored and respected as maker throughout the world. As an excellent cellist he made many cellos and violas which are highly valued. Today it is truly difficult to obtain any of his instruments. Many Danish musicians and collectors have bought up his instruments.

This violin bears Bilmark's label, dated 1934, and is branded under the bass bar (see photo). It demonstrates really fine workmanship in every aspect. The modelling is perfectly styled on the Stradivari pattern. The purfling is unusually narrow and fine, superbly traced. What strikes one is the crisp and sharp work in the Fs, with impeccable fluting in the wings, and the varnish which, as with other his other instruments from this period, is of a texture and transparency that is not often encountered. In this violin Bilmark draws on considerable powers as a maker, and succeeds greatly.

This violin is very well-toned with a rich sonorous G-string and clarity and projection in the high register.

Dimensions :
	Length of back: 35.7 cm

Condition :

Very good condition. The most significant work done on this instrument is a button repair to the back which required a new neck block and supportive shim. The original button was grafted back over the shim, and repairs to the adjacent purfling was superbly done. Further, the violin has recently received new pegs and the fingerboard was reprofiled. A shim has been placed under the fingerboard to correct the neck elevation. The violin is structurally secure.

Provenance :
	Withheld

Price :

P.O.A.