Giovanni Battista Guadagnini moved to Turin with his family in 1771. Thus began the most revered period of his output which spanned fifteen years until his death in 1786. This important violin dates from 1778 and was made at the height of Guadagnini’s powers as a craftsman. The noble choice of handsome materials, the deep-red varnish, and the extraordinary condition of this particular violin, make it a rare and highly representative example of Guadagnini’s best period. This violin is on the market for the first time since 1971 and was played by an eminent member of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. It has a multi-faceted sound that is suitable for a soloist as well as a chamber musician.