World’s Most Expensive Violins
The violin is probably the most popular bowed and stringed musical instrument. It comes from 26th century Italy and the oldest surviving violin dates to 1564.
Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737), the well-known master luthier, is believed to have created 1,100 violins in Cremona, Italy, and 650 of those are believed to still exist.
One such violin, the Lady Tennant Stradivarius, was sold by Christie’s New York in April 2005 for US $2.03 million. There have, however, been private sales of similar violins crafted by Stradivari that likely exceeded this costly figure. This expensive violin was originally owned by Charles Lafont. Its name comes from Sir Charles Tennant, who purchased it for his wife in 1900.
A del Gesù
Even rarer than Stradivari instruments, however, are those created by Giuseppe Guarneri, del Gesù (1698-1744). Guarneri also worked in Cremona and was considered Stradivari’s only rival. He earned the title “del Gesù” (“of Jesus”), also used to refer to his violins, by using the nomina sacra, I. H. S. and a Roman Cross on his labels.
In 2008, Russian lawyer and violinist Maxim Viktorov purchased a 250-year-old del Gesù, once owned by Tsar Alexander II’s court violinist, at a Sotheby’s auction in New York for nearly US $4 million. Viktorov only played it briefly before purchasing it. Afterwards, he refused to play it until Israeli virtuoso Pinchas Zukerman had performed with it. Zukerman played two concerts with what was, at the time, the world’s most expensive violin—one before a private audience of Moscow’s social elite and one public performance at the Moscow Conservatory.
Another del Gesù became the world’s most expensive violin and the most expensive musical instrument in the world in 2010. The Vieuxtemps Guarneri was created in 1741, just three years before Guarneri’s death. It is named after Henri Vieuxtemps, a 19th century musician known for his violin concertos.
Chicago’s Bein & Fushi, dealers of rare and costly musical instruments, are offering the instrument for an astounding US $18 million. Check out their video of Philippe Quint playing John Corigliano’s “The Red violin” on the Vieuxtemps Guarneri below.
As I’ve said here many times before, I’m a summer person. I do not like cold, and as long as the weather is warm enough to wear shorts, I have no real complaints. Still, even I am willing to admit that the heat is a bit oppressive here at the moment: the temperature is expected to hit 99° F today, and it probably already has. I had been planning to review the new Fancy Nights by Jessica Simpson, but I can promise you that Fancy Nights is not something you will want to be wearing when it is 99° F.
So: Heeley Oranges And Lemons Say The Bells of St. Clement’s. It is named for the nursery rhyme, and it’s just the sort of thing you can wear when it’s too hot to wear most anything else…
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Online fragrance shopping
Deal at b-glowing: spend $50 or more, get 7 fragrance samples (88 Orange, Rosie Jane Leila Lou, Mistral Lychee Rose, Yosh U4EAHH, Sarah Horowitz Perfect Veil, Laurence Dumont Musc Blanc, Juliette Has A Gun Lady Vengeance).
New at escentual (UK): Serge Lutens Bas de Soie.
New at jomalone: Cologne Intense collection.
New at macys: Mariah Carey Lollipop Bling.
Kate Moss Vintage Muse ~ new fragrance
Kate Moss will launch Vintage Muse this month. The new perfume for women is a flanker to last year’s Vintage by Kate Moss…
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Thymes Agave Nectar ~ new fragrance
Thymes has launched Agave Nectar, a new fragrance collection:
Refresh your state of mind with the uplifting fragrance…
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Swan dive into the best night of your life
Bruce Willis Eau de Parfum ~ new fragrance
Bruce Willis has launched his debut fragrance for men, Bruce Willis Eau de Parfum. It is described as an elegant green woody scent:
Smart guys live forever…
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Perfume coverage in the July issues of Allure, Details and GQ; please comment on any fragrance-related coverage you’ve seen in other fashion & beauty magazines:
Allure
Cover: Diane Kruger…
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If you thought that the Armored Maybach 62 was the ultimate vehicle providing highest protection, think again. Although it’s just in the concept stages for now, the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon Light Armored Patrol Vehicle 6.X CONCEPT will soon become a standard for armored patrol vehicles. A revamp of the LAPV 5.4, this new model will be lighter to increase agility, while achieving 150km/h speeds that can transport cargo of 1.3 tons. The vehicles feature a monocoque full steel body with ballistic protection and a 2850mm wheelbase. You can replace damaged plates with ease and it includes mine deflector plate on the vehicles floor. The concept has a 450mm ground clearance and a hydraulic braking system and four ventilated disc brakes, to take this baby wherever you go!
Teaming up with EADS, Mercedes Benz brings a host of innovative high performance systems to the LAPV 6.X.
If you have done up the décor of your house with exquisite sculptures then why should your bath room be left out? If you are looking for useful sculptures, check out the Aquanatass shower sculpture from Bagno Sasso. Crafted by artist Hubert Rieber, the shower has been designed keeping in mind the natural body contours, is indeed a work of art. These limited edition sculptures are available in bronze, aluminum and wood, finish.
