I normally don't deal in child violins, but when I came across this fabulous 1/8th size violin, I had a melt-down. Why? because of the sound. This little instrument is the closest you can get to a little violin of this size sounding like a real violin (within reason…). It responds to input and rewards effort with a lovely sound - something any child would find encouraging.

It is certainly of French origin and my first guess is that this is from the studio of Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy (known as 'JTL') and if not, then probably by the firm of Marc Laberte. Both firms had solid reputations for excellent trade instruments upholding the high standards normally associated with French lutherie. This violin probably dates from around 1925. It has a generic label that reads (in French) Copie de Antonio Stradivarius....

As much attention went into the making of this violin as would have gone into a good full-size instrument. It is properly blocked. The materials are good - a one-piece back of plain maple. The top is of nice tone-spruce and the (real) purfling is well-traced. The fingerboard is of real ebony and the pegs of rosewood. The varnish is a beautiful wine-red that only the French ever get right, over a golden ground.

This violin should be in the hands of a talented child - it would assist greatly in rapid progress.

It comes with a KUN shoulder rest, a fully functional bow, and with the most exquisite pressed-wood case, which is now utterly unobtainable. (See photos)

Dimensions :
	Back length; 26.6 cm

Condition :
	Excellent condition - no repairs or cracks. Almost no scratches. The inside of the violin case needs a bit of attention. The bow is fully functional as it is, but a mother-of-pearl slide needs to be fitted and the bone peak of the tip needs restoration - standard restorations that a good craftsman can fix easily at low cost.

Provenance :
	Tony Fisher (of the Blarney Brothers fame) found this violin and sold it to me. I then sold it to a family whose small child was learning the violin. She has outgrown it and the family wants to sell it.

Price :

R6 000 - and worth it.