Quote:
Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby
I've never heard of Guitenbach. I google searched, and saw a reference to Giovanni Guidanti, who died in 1760 and took over from what some believe might've been his father, Floriano Guidanti, who died in 1715. But I don't believe Guidanti made any instruments after 1750, and it wasn't the name of a company or manufacturer.
I only found one Guidanti viola sold in 1987, and it went for well over $30,000.
It's not likely that you have an authentic Guidanti and if you did, you probably would want to get it appraised for insurance purposes, at the very least.
If it was a Guadagnini (also an Italian luthier during that general time period), you'd want it insured, and protected against warping and dust mites. It could be worth over $1M.
Edited to add: I have a general educational interest because I played viola for several years and my teacher was a Maestro who owned a Stradavarius and a Guadagnini violin. I didn't own my own viola and he would let me practice on one of his - made by a German luthier in the 1800's. He collected them.
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I had an appraiser look at it between moved here. Value is nowhere near what you are suggesting. Full marking is
DAVID-CHR-HOPF
GUITENBACH-1760
Happy to let you look at it. It needs new strings and a case. The bow should be re-haired.