Brompton’s Fine & Rare Instruments in London has today announced the £528,000 (US $675,000) sale of the 1779 ‘Ex-Ruggiero Ricci’ Lorenzo Storioni violin – the highest price ever paid at auction for an instrument by the maker.
“The Ex-Ricci was a sensational example, covered with much of its original varnish … with a superb and powerful sound and in a very fine state of preservation … coupled with the name of Ricci it wasn’t a surprise when it did so well,” Auction House Chairman Peter Horner has told The Violin Channel.
“The sale has certainly raised the bar for violins by Lornzo Storioni … I expect that prices for similar examples in good condition will rise accordingly,” he has indicated.
It is understood the violin was purchased by a collector with the intention of loaning it to a musician.
The item was accompanied by a letter handwritten by the late-Italian virtuoso, in 1984, confirming it as the violin played upon amongst others.
