I made a photo and a copy of the signature as good as I could.
The violin is clearly old (I guess beginning of 20th century), I bought it at an antiq market in France this week.
Thank you for your reply!
Edited by - Rogerst on 08/07/2024 08:24:56
Did you post any photos?
I don't think the site allows you to post attachments with a first post. You can go to Rogerst's page here and see several photos.
I see a stylized "W," possibly in the style of Wilkanowski, but I wouldn't know more. What does the back look like? I've only seen one of his violins which had a distinctive design at the heel, and I think a complete label inside. I don't think they all had the decoration though. This doesn't look like a good enough instrument to me, but I'm no expert. I failed to buy the one I saw at auction because I had no idea who he was.
There are several Wilkanowski violins for sale at this site, where you can see the quality of the wood, construction, snd varnish. Some show the full label too.
reverb.com/item/70724504-wilka...wQAvD_BwE
Edited by - DougD on 08/08/2024 00:46:59
I haven’t seen that character in any of the Wilkanowski violins I’ve seen. There’s usually a full signature, not just a letter or hieroglyph.
It’s best not to trust labels or signatures, as these are quite easily faked, and Wilkanoswki was just notable enough as a maker that there are forgeries floating around.
There has been a good amount of discussion about his making, and there are claims that some of his instruments were made personally while others were made in Germany and imported. Some were made by workmen in his shop. There is a belief among many that those with the W in the purfling of the back were made entirely by Wilkanowski, but it’s unclear whether anyone knows definitively.
The pictures of the OP’s violin and the character can be seen by looking at the media section of the account. From those pictures, it seems different to me from the violins I’ve seen, which tend to have softer scroll chamfers and shorter and more rounded corners. The arching tends to be rather full. But if it’s true that he was importing violins, it would make sense for one with his label to look more like a typical Markneukirchen instrument.
If you’d really like to know, I would contact the most knowledgeable people in the area of American violin making. Either Fred Oster or Bruce Babbitt ought to have a good idea.
quote:
Originally posted by DougDI don't think the site allows you to post attachments with a first post. You can go to Rogerst's page here and see several photos.
I see a stylized "W," possibly in the style of Wilkanowski, but I wouldn't know more. What does the back look like? I've only seen one of his violins which had a distinctive design at the heel, and I think a complete label inside. I don't think they all had the decoration though. This doesn't look like a good enough instrument to me, but I'm no expert. I failed to buy the one I saw at auction because I had no idea who he was.
Thank you very much for your reply DougD!
I will now add a picture from the back and several other pictures of the violin, the case and what was inside the case.
Im curious on another reply.
Best regards,
Roger
Thank you very much for your reply "Violin Beautiful". I made some more pictures and put it on my profile. Im curious if you would have another reply.
Thank you!
I haven’t seen that character in any of the Wilkanowski violins I’ve seen. There’s usually a full signature, not just a letter or hieroglyph.
It’s best not to trust labels or signatures, as these are quite easily faked, and Wilkanoswki was just notable enough as a maker that there are forgeries floating around.
There has been a good amount of discussion about his making, and there are claims that some of his instruments were made personally while others were made in Germany and imported. Some were made by workmen in his shop. There is a belief among many that those with the W in the purfling of the back were made entirely by Wilkanowski, but it’s unclear whether anyone knows definitively.
The pictures of the OP’s violin and the character can be seen by looking at the media section of the account. From those pictures, it seems different to me from the violins I’ve seen, which tend to have softer scroll chamfers and shorter and more rounded corners. The arching tends to be rather full. But if it’s true that he was importing violins, it would make sense for one with his label to look more like a typical Markneukirchen instrument.
If you’d really like to know, I would contact the most knowledgeable people in the area of American violin making. Either Fred Oster or Bruce Babbitt ought to have a good idea.
Edited by - Rogerst on 08/08/2024 09:43:23
As I said, I'm no expert, but that violin doesn't look like the one I saw in person (many years ago) or the photos to the ones I linked above.
Whatever it is, it looks to have a serious problem with the neck joint/broken button. The button, being part of the back, plays a big part in the strength of the neck attachment. That's a complicated and expensive repair. Rich can probably tell you more if he wishes.
Edited by - DougD on 08/08/2024 11:27:18
Thank you very much again DougD!
Originally posted by DougDAs I said, I'm no expert, but that violin doesn't look like the one I saw in person (many years ago) or the photos to the ones I linked above.
Whatever it is, it looks to have a serious problem with the neck joint/broken button. The button, being part of the back, plays a big part in the strength of the neck attachment. That's a complicated and expensive repair. Rich can probably tell you more if he wishes.
You're welcome, Roger. Sorry if I was the bearer of bad news. Maybe its not as bad as it looks.
Having seen the new pictures now, I can say that the damage Doug is pointing out is quite serious. The neck has come loose from the neck block and the button has broken. There may be some purfling missing and it’s hard to tell from the picture whether everything is still there or some wood may be missing.
This can be repaired, but it is a costly project. If material is missing, it needs to be replaced, then the button must be reattached carefully. Then it must be reinforced. Then the neck needs to be reset.
I’ve got a violin and a cello in my shop for this issue right now. With a solid repair, the instruments will be solid again, but whenever a button has broken, it does take away from the value of the instrument no matter how well the repair is done.
If you spent very little on the violin and you like it enough to spend what it’ll cost for the repair, you can still salvage it.
Thank you again for this information additional information! The violin was 70 euro. My daughter of 8 for which we bought it, loves it, but she has to wait a little when she can play on this one. Our intention is to let it fix. Lets see what they ask. In our neighbourhood we hire her violin in the town of Maastricht at "Rijsemus" and I'll make an appointment with him. Thanks again!
