Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Price Realized: $2,128 Includes buyer's premium
A nineteenth-century American acoustic violin by master luthier Walter Ewing Colton, patterned specifically as an exact historical copy of an instrument by Joseph Guarnerius del Gesù, featuring an original paper label pasted to the internal back plate and visible through the left sound-hole inscribed "Walter E. Colton / No. 23 Brooklyn 1885", constructed with a one-piece carved maple back displaying a strong horizontal curl, matching figured maple ribs, a fine-grained spruce top table, elongated and characteristically sweeping Guarneri style sound-holes, precision-inlaid perimeter purfling, an ebony fingerboard, and a traditionally carved scroll terminating at the pegbox
Spruce, maple, ebony
23 x 8 1/4 x 3 inches
labeled
From a Private New York Collection
Overall condition consistent with age; well-preserved internal paper label exhibiting expected light tonal silvering, superficial varnish checking across the exterior sound-hole margins, and historic wood oxidation to the surrounding internal surfaces. A soundpost crack is present to the back plate. The soundpost is intact but was found loose and has been removed from the instrument.
If you are interested in bidding, please contact us to request more photos, or make an appointment for in-person inspection. To ensure prompt assistance, we recommend reaching out at least 24 hours before the auction by calling 212-353-2277 or emailing us at admin@capsuleauctions.com.
Condition reports are based on visual inspection by the Capsule team under typical office lighting. Unless otherwise noted, items are not examined under UV light in advance of sale. We do not guarantee the content of written or verbal condition reports. Remember, all lots are previously owned and all sales are final. The absence of a condition report does not imply that there are no condition issues with the lot.
Art has not been examined out of the frame unless otherwise stated. Frames, lampshades, or items described as “supplementary” are not considered integral to the value of the lot and are excluded from condition assessments. This includes any mat, mounting, glazing, hanging apparatus, case, box, or stand. Timepiece movements, lighting elements and items with mechanical or electrical components have not been thoroughly tested and are not covered under warranty by Capsule.
