Antique French 1/4 cello from Mirecourt, circa 1870

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This rare French 1/4 cello will give talented young musicians the finest opportunities to flourish – and it can "grow along" with them, thanks to our trade-in guarantee. Its playing and acoustic properties will motivate children, help them as they start out, and benefit them well beyond the early days of their musical lives.

An especially lovely 1/4 cello, this rare top-quality small-sized cello from the 19th century will answer the question many parents have about the standards a good beginner's instrument needs in terms of its artisan and musical properties. The eye-catchingly patinated light-brown varnish will inspire young musicians to want to play, and it beautifully accentuates the moderately grained spruce of the one-piece top and the delicate flames of the two-piece maple back. Expressive carving on the scroll shows how much experience, style and meticulousness were put into crafting this French 1/4 cello, and it was clearly played often and joyfully, as can be seen by the typical gentle traces of use on the body, which has been kept in perfect and (despite a rib repair) undamaged condition. The aesthetic is an excellent match for the large, full, warm sound which is surprising for a cello of this size; it inspires joy in playing and is a supportive companion for early lessons. A 1/4 cello of this quality is an extremely rare find, and it justifies a price which is higher than that of newer industrially-produced instruments, in no small part because of our trade-in guarantee which makes it easier to exchange it for a larger instrument at a later date.