The Rembrandt among violins to be auctioned soon

This particular violin has also been compared to a Rembrandt and will go under the hammer in June. The violin is expected to fetch millions of euros...Text: Fleur de Jong
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Known owner

Not only does the fact that the violin is a genuine "Guarneri" make it comparable to a Rembrandt, but the instrument to be auctioned in June has been owned for 20 years by French violinist Régis Pasquier, who has played the instrument in the most respected concert halls. 

The violin will be auctioned on June 3 just outside Paris and has an estimated base price of around €4.5 million. However, connoisseurs believe the instrument could fetch around €10 million. 

Incredibly rare

Originating in Cremona, Italy, the maple wood violin was handcrafted by respected Italian luthier Giuseppe Guarneri at the height of his career. Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri was an Italian violin maker from the Guarneri family of violin makers. Next to Stradivari, Guarneri is considered the greatest violin maker of all time. According to experts, the instruments of the old, Italian master violin makers have never been matched. Whereas fellow violin maker from Cremona Stradivari was already a household name in his own time, Guarneri only gained his recognition in the nineteenth century. For a long time the Italian was a misunderstood builder; he was not interested in the beauty refinement of the instrument, but rather the sound. For this reason, he did not become a violin maker for the wealthy in his day, but rather for professional musicians.

Violins by Guarneri are incredibly rare; in his entire lifetime he made only 150 violins. Which makes them particularly coveted among players and collectors alike.

 

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Want to read more about another special item that will be auctioned off? Also read: 'Dress from The Wizard of Oz should fetch mega amount'