Lot 33

Jan Baptista Dvořák (1825 - 1890) A VIOLIN

From the expert assessment by Tomáš Pilař: “The presented violin has an original label adhered to the inside: ‘J.B.DWOŘÁK / Fecit Pragae 1880.’ The instrument is an original by the Prague master violinmaker with all original parts, and it is among his better pieces and is typical of his work. It is constructed according to a Guarneri del Gesu model with narrower chamfers. He used beautiful high-flame tiger maple on the back and ribs and spruce with uniform narrow rings on the top. The varnish is typical mahogany with wear in places. Like most instruments, the foundation under the varnish has a subdued weathered grey color. The condition of the instrument is very good following a general overhaul and restoration work by Vladimír Pilař in 1995. No cracks on the plates.”
Due to its exceptional quality, this instrument was chosen as a sample of J. B. Dvořák’s work for the book Umění houslařů (The Art of Violin Makers) by V. Pilař and F. Šrámek.