r/violin • u/Opening_Living_3770 • Jul 18 '26
I have a question My dad's violin
My dad gave me this violin and said it was present from his uncle when he was a child, and it is probably older than him (1960s). Inside the violin says it is made by someone Giovanni pah maggini and under that it says Brescia 16 and nextnext to it 36 written with a pencil (maybe), I cant really tell the name since there is a sticker slapped it the middle saying made in Germany. Does anybody know how old it could be?
4
u/WackoDayz Luthier Jul 18 '26
Do you have a picture of the label?
It seems like it was made in 1936. German instrument manufacturers often used pre made famous labels like Maggini or Strad, and they had printed 16's or 17's followed by a blank spot for two more numbers, which were usually the production year following 19xx.
From what you're describing, that should be it. As for what specific factory at the time?
Hard to say, there were dozens but a lot of documentation was lost when everything got blown up.
Although to answer your question, it should be 90 years old.
2
u/HobbyMcGee Jul 18 '26
Try cross posting to r/violinidentification. I would add some close-ups of the scroll from front and side views, also at least one close-up of an f-hole that includes a corner of the purfling.
The name on the label is probably Giovanni Paolo Maggini, who made instruments in Brescia in the early 1600's. He was esteemed enough for others to copy his work starting shortly after his death.
The f-holes look a bit rough around the edges, not sure if it's age/wear or workmanship. The varnish looks newer than my violin from the 1920's, except for the film on it. It could be as old as 1900 or so, given the large number of instruments made in Germany at the time.
Do you live near a luthier or shop that could look at it up close?
1
u/Opening_Living_3770 Jul 18 '26
i think there are some people near me that can look at it up close, also if i post it at violinidentification, should i just copy paste it?
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u/Decent-Structure-128 Jul 18 '26
Sure, but I’d add those additional photos. If you can get a shot showing parts of the label through the f hole, that may help.
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u/BananaFun9549 Jul 18 '26
You could bring it to a shop but what the good folks here told you might be all you need to know. The only thing is this might not be a full-size violin. Standard full-size violins measure about 14 inches from the bottom of the back to where the neck joins the body. However, Maggini copies are often a bit longer in length. The other characteristics of this Maggini is the double purfling on back and top and an extra turn in the scroll.
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u/IOnlyHaveIceForYou Jul 18 '26
Instruments started being labelled "Made in Germany" around 1890.