Violin by Piero Parravicini, Milan, circa 1925

About Piero Parravicini

Piero Parravicini was born in Bovisio, just outside Milan, in 1889. He moved to Milan to study with Romeo Antoniazzi and later worked in the Monzino workshop for one year in 1924 before setting up on his own. He enjoyed a successful career in his own right, receiving medals in Rome in 1925 and 1929, Cremona in 1949 and Rome again in 1954.

Parravicini is in some ways typical of the Modern Italian school in that his instruments are unantiqued. His work demonstrates the influence of the Antoniazzi family, particularly in his use of classical Italian models with a rich orange varnish.

Parravicini died in 1957, having made around 600 violins as well as 10 violas, 12 cellos and 3 double basses. A prolific and very fine maker whose instruments deserve greater attention!

About the violin

This violin was made in Milan around 1925 and was intended as a tribute to his teacher, Romeo Antoniazzi.

The violin has a one-piece back of striking slab-cut maple, with ribs to match. The scroll is of quarter-sawn maple, also highly figured. The front is two pieces of narrow-grained spruce, with grain widening towards the flanks, and the varnish is reddish-orange in colour, laid over a golden ground.

The violin has a length of back of 355 mm.

How does it sound?

At the risk of sounding trite, this violin really does sound as good as it looks! It's extremely classy, hugely characterful and reassuringly robust. The sound is on the darker end of the spectrum for a Modern Italian instrument, and the violin produces a beautiful sound by default.

Condition

The violin is in excellent condition.

Certification

The violin comes with the certificate of Dmitry Gindin.

More information

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