Probate valuations for violins, violas, cellos and bows

Stringed instruments are among the easiest things to overlook in an estate. They sit in cupboards and lofts, and to most eyes they all look alike. One violin might be worth £50 and the next £500,000.

The label inside is rarely a reliable guide. Most violins labelled “Stradivarius” are later copies, and some very good instruments carry no label at all. That is why an estate needs a specialist, not a general valuer.

• Identify each instrument and bow: the maker or school, where it was made and roughly when.
• Give a free first opinion on what it would fetch at auction, with no obligation to sell.
• Provide a formal written valuation for probate when the estate needs one. We tell you the fee before we start.
• Handle whole collections, including cases, bows and accessories, so nothing of value is thrown away.
• Sell at auction if the family decides to. We hold at least ten specialist sales a year, so there is always a sale coming up.

• At home. We visit homes anywhere in the UK. For an estate or a collection this is often the easiest way.
• At our London office: 10A Furlong House, Chandos Street, London W1G 9DQ, just off Cavendish Square. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 4pm, Wednesday 12 noon to 7pm.
• From photographs. Send pictures through our online valuation for a first opinion.
• At a valuation day around the UK. See the dates.

Probate, divorce and financial-difficulty enquiries are looked after by one person from start to finish: Sarah Buchanan, a Director of Amati. Sarah’s experience includes working as Personal Assistant to the Chairman of Christie’s, and she now runs Amati’s day-to-day operations, including our single-owner collection sales. She will look after your client, keep you informed, and arrange any specialist visits or written valuations.

Email Sarah directly at [email protected], or call 020 7099 7114.

We are happy to work directly with the firm handling the estate. We report in writing and keep you up to date. If you would like a short talk for your private client team on what to look for in an estate, see our page for advisers.