“A violin's age is not counted in years but in moments of bliss“
For many musicians, a violin is more than just an instrument. Especially old violins with their mature, individual character are true companions in orchestra playing, chamber music and solo performance. Corilon violins online catalogue features a hand-selected collection of antique violins for sale that inspire the serious player with their delicate workmanship, selected wood and fine antique varnish. Beginners and advanced players alike appreciate old and antique violins for their richness in tone and as a desirable alternative with a good investment value. Take a look at our helpful information on signs of quality and value of an old violin.
German, French and Italian violins online
Discover Corilon's curated collection of German, French and Italian violins for sale; these attractive hand-made violins feature a wide range of different characteristics and date back to different periods. Carefully selected antique violins, Italian violins, beautiful old violas, and top-quality violin bows and other fine stringed instruments full of personality and character are competently are lovingly set up and restored by our professional violin makers and made ready to play. You may also search our website for violins for sale by a special maker origin or sound by typing e. g. "Italian violin", or "French violin" into the search box. Fine German, French and Italian violins and master violins for sale at Corilon violins: each one professionally worked over and approved by our qualified violin maker. Purchase violins with confidence at Corilon: each one presented with an audio sound sample, extensive historical background information, a 30 days returns option, a trade guarantee and an optional violin certificate. We will be happy to recommend the best sounding violins and suggest a suitable bow for your order - email us for recommendations.
About Italian violins
Italian violins, especially violins from Cremona, enjoy an outstanding reputation in the music world and are widely regarded as the ultimate in virtuoso artisanry and excellent acoustic properties. And this belief not only applies solely to the masterpieces of the “golden age” of Cremona in which Antonio Stradivari, Nicolò Amati and Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù brought the modern violin model to the heights which to this day serve as the internationally acknowledged and unsurpassed standard of artisanry. It is their accomplishments and the craft tradition of Italian lutes and violins dating far back to the late Middle Ages which even allowed the Cremonese violin makers to achieve what they did, and over the centuries their traditions assumed the nature of a benchmark standard that served as a point of reference, even for the characteristic styles of violin making traditions in other countries. For example, Italy served as an indispensable source of both knowledge and inspiration as well as premium-quality materials for the work of such masters as Tyrolean Jakob Stainer, whose instruments were more popular than the Italian classics up until the early 19th century. In the 20th century, a new circle of excellent masters formed on the fringes of the violin making school in Cremona. Yet the major role of this historic venue should not detract from the virtues of other regional Italian violin making traditions that also featured perfectly crafted and distinctive pieces which are worthy heirs of Amati, Stradivari and Guarneri – and continually re-interpret the Italian violin anew. Italian violins for sale with a magnificent sound and outstanding craftsmanship from the cradle of violin making.
Violin - or fiddle? Things to know
The violin is the smallest stringed instrument of the violin family and is also commonly referred to as fiddle. The violin developed in the 16th century in Italy from its invention by the luthier Amati, culminating in the work of Antonio Stradivari. A violin consists of a carved scroll made of maple or sycamore, the one-piece or two-piece back made of flamed maple or sycamore, sides made of maple, the one-piece or two-piece top made of spruce. The wood used to make the violin is called tonewood. A violin is traditionally handcrafted by a luthier from rough blocks of wood. The tonewood is seasoned for several decades before a violin is made to remove as much moisture as possible and to prevent the wood from structurally working and warping with changes in temperature and humidity. The light brown boxwood is used in the pegs and tailpieces, but is less durable than hard woods like ebony or rosewood. The acoustic elements of the violin are the soundpost, bridge and bass bar. These significantly influence the sound and are regularly modified or renewed by the luthier. As usually expensive and high quality handwork, good violins are passed down from generation to generation. It is said that an old violin sounds better than a new one. Corilon violins online catalog presents fine violins and precious antique violins for high playing demands, which inspire with their quality workmanship, selected woods and fine sound. Read more on the history of the violin in our library section.
