This is an unusually responsive violin with big tone which belies its elegant appearance. The tone is easy and open, right into the high positions, notably on the g-string, and well-balanced over the register. This instrument will open a new door for a talented musician.

The first thing that strikes one visually is the beautiful nicely flamed one-piece back with a distinct and interesting irregular curl, repeated in the ribs. The top is of unusually open-grained tone spruce unmatched in the two halves. The golden-brown spirit varnish has some age-related character marks, typical in older instruments, but these have no structural implications. This violin is correctly blocked and lined inside with a fitted bass bar, nicely executed and which no doubt contributes to its tonal properties which are immediately apparent when playing it.

The initial impression was that this is a German violin, but at a closer look much about it is not typically German - the arching, corners, selection of materials, varnish and specifically the back length of 360 mm could be pointers to Mirecourt tendencies around the turn of the 19th century, which is also the estimate of its making. However, this is speculative and strictly speaking its origin remains unknown.

Dimensions :
	Length of back: 36.0 cm

Condition :

This violin is in excellent condition. Other than a repair to a minor crack in the top, the tone plates are in a superb state. A fracture in the pegbox is correctly repaired through supportive grafts into the two flanks, lending it perfect solidity and stability. The violin has a new top saddle (nut) and the fingerboard has just been reprofiled. It has a fresh setup which includes a student-type tailpiece which facilitates tuning for a student. It is currently fitted with new Tomastik Dominant strings.

Provenance :
	The property of Johan Grobbelaar

Price :	R30 000
	This price takes into account the repairs done on the violin.