Live
Nov 24, 12:00PM EST

Fine Musical Instruments

Auction ended

Featured Items

325 Results
Sort by
  • Violin
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 278

    Violin

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Half Size Violin
    Estimate
    $500 - $700
    Lot 278A

    Half Size Violin

    Est.
    $500 - $700
  • Violin
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 279

    Violin

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • German Half Size Violin
    Estimate
    $200 - $300
    Lot 279A

    German Half Size Violin

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • German Violin
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 280

    German Violin

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • German Three-quarter Size Violin
    Estimate
    $200 - $300
    Lot 280A

    German Three-quarter Size Violin

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Two Nickel-mounted Three-quarter Size Violin Bows
    Estimate
    $200 - $300
    Lot 281

    Two Nickel-mounted Three-quarter Size Violin Bows

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Two Violoncello Bows
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 282

    Two Violoncello Bows

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Two Silver-mounted Viola Bows
    Estimate
    $600 - $800
    Lot 283

    Two Silver-mounted Viola Bows

    Est.
    $600 - $800
  • Nickel-mounted Contrabass Bow and Two Violoncello Bows
    Estimate
    $100 - $150
    Lot 284

    Nickel-mounted Contrabass Bow and Two Violoncello Bows

    Est.
    $100 - $150
  • Three Nickel-mounted Violoncello Bows
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 285

    Three Nickel-mounted Violoncello Bows

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Four Violin Bows
    Estimate
    $100 - $150
    Lot 286

    Four Violin Bows

    Est.
    $100 - $150
  • Four Violin Bows
    Estimate
    $400 - $600
    Lot 287

    Four Violin Bows

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • Five Violin Bows
    Estimate
    $600 - $800
    Lot 288

    Five Violin Bows

    Est.
    $600 - $800
  • Five Nickel-mounted Violin Bows
    Estimate
    $200 - $300
    Lot 289

    Five Nickel-mounted Violin Bows

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Twelve Violin Bows
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 290

    Twelve Violin Bows

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Fourteen Violin Bows and One Violoncello Bow
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 291

    Fourteen Violin Bows and One Violoncello Bow

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Sixteen Violin Bows
    Estimate
    $600 - $800
    Lot 292

    Sixteen Violin Bows

    Est.
    $600 - $800
  • Two Three-quarter Size Violins
    Estimate
    $200 - $300
    Lot 293

    Two Three-quarter Size Violins

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Two Violins
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 294

    Two Violins

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Three Violins
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 295

    Three Violins

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Three Violins
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 296

    Three Violins

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Three Violins
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 297

    Three Violins

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Three Violins
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 298

    Three Violins

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Three Violins
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 299

    Three Violins

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Three Violins
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 300

    Three Violins

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Three Violins
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 301

    Three Violins

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Three Violins
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 302

    Three Violins

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Three Violins
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 303

    Three Violins

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Three Violins
    Estimate
    $300 - $500
    Lot 304

    Three Violins

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Regh, Joseph
    Estimate
    $200 - $300
    Lot 305

    Regh, Joseph

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Germain, Christopher, et al.
    Estimate
    $100 - $150
    Lot 306

    Germain, Christopher, et al.

    Est.
    $100 - $150
  • Blot, Eric
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
    Lot 307

    Blot, Eric

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Regh, Joseph
    Estimate
    $200 - $300
    Lot 308

    Regh, Joseph

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Four Books on Italian Violins
    Estimate
    $200 - $300
    Lot 309

    Four Books on Italian Violins

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Fourteen Books and Catalogs on Violins
    Estimate
    $200 - $300
    Lot 310

    Fourteen Books and Catalogs on Violins

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Group of Violinist-related Books
    Estimate
    $20 - $200
    Lot 311

    Group of Violinist-related Books

    Est.
    $20 - $200

Auction Description

Fine Musical Instruments by Bonhams Skinner
Preview Times November 22, 12PM – 7PM November 23, 10:30AM – 5PM November 24, 9AM – 10:30AM Our fall auction, offering over 300 lots, runs the gamut of fretted, wind, and bowed musical instruments — from classic American guitars and British amplifiers to rare flutes, saxophones, and bagpipes, to fine violins, violas, violoncellos, and their bows. One highlight is an early viola by Jerome Bonaparte Squier, dated May 1886 and marked No. 2. Although the American violin has witnessed a renaissance in recent years, the American viola remains relatively scarce, making this lot a little-known example of this important Boston maker’s craft. Contact Us 508.970.3135 music@skinnerinc.com Read more
Bonhams Skinner
Boston, MA 02116
United States

bidsquare@bonhamsskinner.com

Phone:+1 6173505400

Buyer’s Premium

Start Premium (%)
$0 25.00

Bid Increments

Start Increments ($)
$0 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$30,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
$300,000 $25,000
$500,000 $50,000
$1,000,000 $100,000

Shipping Info

Please visit http://www.skinnerinc.com/services/payment-and-shipping/ for information regarding the collection of items purchased at auction. 

Read more

Terms & Conditions

1. Some of the lots in this sale are offered subject to a reserve. The reserve is a confidential minimum price agreed upon by the consignor and Skinner, Inc. below which the lot will not be sold. In most cases, the reserve will be set below the estimated range, but in no case will it exceed the estimates listed. A representative of Skinner, Inc. will execute such reserves by bidding for the consignor. In any event and whether or not a lot is subject to a reserve, the auctioneer may reject any bid or raise not commensurate with the value of such lot.

2. All property is sold “as is,” and neither the auctioneer nor any consignor makes any warranties or representation of any kind or nature with respect to the property, and in no event shall they be responsible for the correctness, nor deemed to have made any representation or warranty, of description, genuineness, authorship, attribution, provenance, period, culture, source, origin, or condition of the property and no statement made at the sale, or in the bill of sale, or invoice or elsewhere shall be deemed such a warranty of representation or an assumption of liability.

3. Except as provided in paragraph 1 above, the highest bidder as determined by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser. In the case of a disputed bid, the auctioneer shall have sole discretion in determining the purchaser and may also, at his or her election, withdraw the lot or reoffer the lot for sale. The auctioneer shall have sole discretion to refuse any bid, or refuse to acknowledge any bidder. Any bidder that plans on spending in excess of $100,000 should make arrangements with the accounting department at least five (5) days in advance of the sale, as a deposit may be required to participate.

4. All merchandise purchased must be paid for and removed from the premises the day of the auction. Skinner Inc. may impose, and the purchaser agrees to pay, a monthly interest charge of 1.5% of the purchase price of any lot or item lot not paid for within thirty-five (35) days of the date of sale. Skinner, Inc. shall have no liability for any damage or loss to property left on its premises for more than three (3) days from the date of sale. If any property has not been removed within three (3) days from the date of sale, at the option of Skinner, Inc. (a) Skinner Inc., may impose, and the purchaser agrees to pay, a monthly storage charge of 1.5% of the purchase price of any lot or portion of a lot not removed within the three days, and/or (b) Skinner Inc. may place the merchandise in a subsequent auction, without Reserve, to be sold to the highest bidder, and after deducting the standard commission and any additional charges that may apply, remit the proceeds to the purchaser.

5. Skinner accepts cash or check for payment. Personal checks will be acceptable only if credit has been established with Skinner, Inc. or if a bank authorization has been received guaranteeing a personal check. Skinner, Inc. reserves the right to hold merchandise purchased by personal check until the check has cleared the bank. The purchaser agrees to pay Skinner, Inc. a handling charge of $25.00 for any check dishonored by the drawee. Please contact Accounting for additional payment methods. Skinner does not accept payment by credit card for merchandise purchases.

6. If the purchaser breaches any of its obligations under these Conditions of Sale, including its obligation to pay in full the purchase price of all items for which it was the highest successful bidder, Skinner Inc. may exercise all of its rights and remedies under the law including, without limitation, (a) canceling the sale and applying any payments made by the purchaser to the damages caused by the purchaser’s breach, and/or (b) offering at public auction, without reserve, any lot or item for which the purchaser has breached any of its obligations, including its obligation to pay in full the purchase price, holding the purchaser liable for any deficiency plus all costs of sale.

7. In no event will the liability of Skinner, Inc. to any purchaser with respect to any item exceed the purchase price actually paid by such purchaser for such item.

8. Shipping is the responsibility of the purchaser. Upon request, our staff will provide the list of shippers who deliver to destinations within the United States and overseas. Some property that is sold at auction can be subject to laws governing export from the U.S., such as items that include material from some endangered species. Import restrictions from foreign countries are subject to these same governing laws. Granting of licensing for import or export of goods from local authorities is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Denial or delay of licensing will not constitute cancellation or delay in payment for the total purchase price of these lots.

9. All purchases are subject to the Massachusetts 6.25% sales tax unless the purchaser possesses a Massachusetts sales tax exemption number. Exemption numbers from other states are accepted in Massachusetts if presented with a business card or letterhead. Dealers, museums, and other qualifying parties can apply for a Massachusetts exemption number prior to the auction by contacting the Massachusetts Department of Corporations and Taxation at 100 Cambridge Street in Boston.

10. A premium equal to 23% of the final bid price up to and including $100,000, plus 20% of the final bid price from $100,001 up to and including $1,000,000, plus 12% of the final bid price from $1,000,001 and over will be applied to each lot sold, to be paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price.

11. Bidding on any item indicates your acceptance of these terms and all other terms printed within, posted, and announced at the time of sale whether bidding in person, through a representative, by phone, by Internet, or other absentee bid.

12. Skinner, Inc. and its consignors make no warranty or representation, express or implied, that the purchaser will acquire any copyright or reproduction rights to any lot sold. Skinner, Inc. expressly reserves the right to reproduce any image of the lots sold in this catalog. The copyright in all images, illustrations and written material produced by or for Skinner, Inc. relating to a lot, including the contents of this catalog, is, and shall remain at all times, the property of Skinner, Inc. and shall not be used by the purchaser, nor by anyone else, without our prior written consent.

13. These conditions of sale shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (excluding the laws applicable to conflicts or choice of law). The buyer/bidder agrees that any suit for the enforcement of this agreement may be brought, and any action against Skinner in connection with the transactions contemplated by this agreement shall be brought, in the courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any federal court sitting therein. The bidder/buyer consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and waives objections that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such suit.

Revised January 8, 2014