Violin Guarneri bought Russian
ARTinvestment.RU   14 февраля 2008

February 13, 2008 auction house Sotheby

February 13, 2008 auction house Sotheby's confirmed that a Moscow lawyer, philanthropist and businessman Maxim Viktorov prepared home during a private transaction has acquired a unique violin in 1741 of the famous master of Giuseppe Guarneri del Dzhezu of Cremona - the most famous Guarneri (Guarneri del Gesù) in the Italian violin dynasty.

The exact amount of the transaction at the request of the parties has not been announced. However, the house Sotheby 's, to achieve its brokerage support, in an official press release hinted that he paid an amount far in excess of pre-existing record for the price of musical instruments. This record known before the time was 3.54 million dollars that were paid for the violin «Hammer» work by Antonio Stradivari in May 2006. So, now more than 3.54 million dollars. A little later, a newspaper has become known for another price progovorka - directly from the new owner «Guarneri». Viktorov hinted that the price was higher than the Guarneri violin to record «Stradivarius» several times. In a few times - so in two? three? That is 7-10 million dollars? One can only guess, because things do not require exceptional quality reasonable prices. Curiously, before this most expensive violin Guarneri was considered a tool kremonsky Baron Heath in 1743, sold in 1988 at Sotheby 's over 572 thousand pounds fully.

A Guarneri violin, the sounds are the tears of admiration from lilis Stradivari-Shakurova in the film «Visit to the Minotaur», known for one interesting detail. According to experts, the best copies of Guarneri on selected parameters, and in certain premises surpass the best instruments of Stradivari. Expertise, people appreciate them for their warm sound and a special tone. Curiously, the famous virtuoso Niccolo Paganini violin is preferred by Giuseppe Guarneri del Dzhezu.

History Viktorov bought the tool is fairly well traced. We know that about 15 years, from mid 1840 till 1860 it has played the Belgian maestro Henri Vetan, then more than 100 years of instrument belonged to the family of violinist. Creation Guarneri, the plans have to be brought to Moscow, and at the end of March, an Israeli violinist Pinchas Zuckerman, will play at «Guarneri» in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory.

Before the February deal with the «Guarneri» All prizes on the podium were the price of the violin by Antonio Stradivari:

• Hummer in 1707 for 3.54 million dollars ( Christie's, 2006);
• Lady Tennant in 1699 for 2.03 million (Christie's, 2005);
• The Kreutzer 1727 for 1.58 million (Christie's, 1998).

Open market transactions with a violin-class is very rare. But the exact prices are known only to the auction sales, so we improvised rating, it is possible, it is not full. The prices of private transactions may be higher. Even probably. For example, several years ago «Stradivarius» particularly valuable period - since 1700 - could cost 6 million dollars. Once identified, such assessments, then we can assume that some tools so sold? In any case, seeing the price dynamics for the top violins, it is easy to believe that the February «Guarneri» could cost closer to $ 10 million.

Sources: www.sothebys.com , www.bloomberg.com , www.kommersant.ru , www.tvkultura.ru