Carlo Antonio Testore - Milan c1730 A fine old Italian violin, original in all it’s major parts made by the famous maker Carlo Antonio Testore c1730. It bears a repairer’s label of F. Bianchi dated 1889 from a known violin firm in Northern Italy, this indicates when the violin was modified from a baroque setting to modern. An absolute top-shelf instrument of exquisite colour range, power, depth and warmth, currently in the hands of violinist Dan Russell and recently arrived in Australia to be performed at the Sydney Opera House. The two piece back is of quarter cut maple with narrow flames with an inscription marked ‘FO 1769’. The ribs of similar stock to the back, the scroll of a more plain maple, the two piece table of spruce, the varnish of a transparent yellow ochre over a light yellow brown ground. A typical example of the makers work in very good condition given it’s age. Certificate from Florian Leonhard Fine Violins, London, April 2024. Infrared Scan and Report from Florian Leonhard Fine Violins, London, Oct 2024 (indicating no evidence of woodworm damage) Measurements: Length of Body: 355mm, with widths: 165mm, 110mm and 203mm.