www.MysticViolin.com - Enrico Orselli Violin, 20th Century Italian

20th Cent. Italian Violin Labeled Enrico Orselli. One piece back, antiqued oil varnish. LOB 353mm

Born in 1891, Enrico Orselli learned violin making from Ettore Soffriti in Ferrara. He established in Pesaro in 1924, and continued to craft instruments there until 1949. Orselli used primarily Stradivari and Guarneri models. A good maker with a skilled hand, Orselli seems to have lacked the proper training that would have enabled him to flourish as a great instrument maker. During his life, he made more violas than violins. His labeling is inconsistent; handwritten labels show up in the 1910s and then again in the 1940s, interweaved with printed labels of varying fonts, which make his violins difficult to authenticate. One such label, inserted in an instrument made in 1949 (his last year of production) even credits his teacher, with the phrase “discepolo di Soffriti Ettore”- a practice unheard of for experienced makers late in their careers. Although Orselli was a lesser known modern Italian violin maker who appears to have struggled finding his voice and making his mark, his instruments are well crafted, resonant, and truly beautiful.

This hand-made violin (c. 1940) has a Guarneri style body with a medium-fine grain top, even throughout, and full arching. The back is one piece, with a prominent, tight flame and high curl. The violin has a golden reddish-brown oil varnish and has attributes of an Orselli violin (beautiful wood, fine purfling). It is lightly antiqued and appears to be free of repair. LOB 352 mm (just shy of 14 inches).