Description: this violin is a fine Italian instrument, the work of Dante and Alfredo Guastalla of Reggiolo. It was made in Reggio Emilia and bears the maker’s original label dated 1929. It is a fine and characteristic example of the maker’s work.
Measurements: 35.7cm in length of body, with widths of 16.5cm and 20.4cm.
Violin maker: Guastalla, Dante. Born 1893 Reggiolo, Reggio Emilia Italy. Elder brother of Alfredo Guastalla, above. Pupil of Scarampella in Mantua. Worked alone in Reggiolo briefly before being joined by Alfredo. Manuscript labels: Guastalla Dante / Liutaio / Allievo di Stefano Scarampella / Fabbricatore e Riparatore Istrumenti ad arco / in Reggiolo – Em. Italia. 1949 Dante e Alfredo Guastalla / Anno 1949 / Reggiolo (Emilia). [John Dilworth]
I have been very fortunate to receive a violin on loan from the Harrison Frank Foundation since March 2016. The violin was made by Dante and Alfredo Guastalla in 1929, and has a deep, rich tone and strong projection when needed. It has been enormously helpful to me to have the use of a fine instrument; the quality it provides is far beyond what I could afford. This violin’s versatility has made a very noticeable difference to my playing as a soloist and as a chamber musician.
Patrick Dawkins, January 2018