An 18th century violin sold for a remarkable $28,800 at Bonhams' The Music Room auction, last week (December 15).
 "Le violon portant etiquette de Joseph Rocca a Turin de 1864" ($29k) |
The branded instrument originates from Italy's renowned and legendary Italian School, where it resided circa 1920.
Measuring 357mm along the back, within the violin's red-orange-brown exterior is an internal brand marking which reads "GR Joseph Rocca fecit Taurini anno Domini 1864 IHS".
Further adding to the historic string instrument's provenance is a Certificat D'Authenticite signed by one of the world's greatest violin restorers, Etienne Vatelot, dated June 8, 1973.
It reads: "le violon portant etiquette de Joseph Rocca a Turin de 1864 et un instrument authentique de cet auteur" - roughly translated: "a violin labelled Joseph Rocca Torino, 1864, an authentic instrument of this maker."
Leaving the auction block with a staggering five-figure value, the rare and unique instrument was head and shoulders above the other historic instruments at Bonhams' sale.
As a point of comparison, a rare 1792 Antonio Gragnani made violin carries a value of €60,000-100,000 - and was accidentally left by a girl on a Vienna subway, earlier this year.
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Image: Bonhams
