Viola Valuations — Free and Without Obligation

What is your viola worth? Amati’s specialists give free viola valuations — at a valuation day near you, online from photographs, or at our London offices. Since 2013 we have helped thousands of people find out who made their viola and what it would fetch at auction. There is no charge, and no obligation to sell.

Prefer to talk? Call +44 (0)20 7099 7114, WhatsApp us or email [email protected].

Viola Valuations — Free and Without Obligation

A viola by Giovanni Battista Morassi, Cremona, 1974 sold for £19,520

Valuation day booking
Complimentary valuations — no charge, no obligation
Specialists in violins, violas, cellos and bows
Helping owners discover their instruments’ worth since 2013
30,000+ auction price records in the Amati Archive
Member of SOFAA, the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers

What happens on the day

If we can help we will, no pressure to sell, just an appraisal of value.

STEP 1

Book your appointment

Choose a valuation day near you and pick a time that suits. Booking takes a couple of minutes, online or by phone.

STEP 2

Meet a specialist

Bring your viola, along with any bows or paperwork. A valuation is a conversation, not an examination — around fifteen minutes, with no obligation.

STEP 3

Hear what it's worth

Our specialist will tell you who made your viola, when and where, and what it could achieve at auction today.

STEP 4

Decide in your own time

If you'd like to sell, we'll guide you through consigning to one of our monthly auctions. If not, the valuation is yours to keep.

Instruments we've valued have gone on to remarkable results

Among the highest prices achieved at Amati auctions, including buyer's premium.

£23,180

Small viola by Carlo Antonio Testore, Milan, c.1730

£19,520

Viola by G. B. Morassi, Cremona, 1974

£18,300

Viola by N. F. Vuillaume, Brussels, 1862

A warm welcome, wherever you meet us

A warm welcome, wherever you meet us

Our London valuation days are held at Furlong House, our headquarters. Elsewhere, we choose comfortable, central venues that are easy to reach.

Appointments are private and unhurried. Whether your viola is a family heirloom or an attic find, you'll leave knowing what you have and what it might be worth.

Upcoming valuation days

Amati specialists travel the country. Find the day nearest you.

London Amati office
Book →
London Friday 14 August
Book →
London Monday 17 August
Book →
London Tuesday 18 August
Book →
London Wednesday 19 August
Book →
London Thursday 20 August
Book →
London Friday 21 August
Book →
London Monday 24 August
Book →
London Tuesday 25 August
Book →
London Wednesday 26 August
Book →
London Thursday 27 August
Book →
London Friday 28 August
Book →
London Monday 31 August
Book →
London Tuesday 1 September
Book →
London Wednesday 2 September
Book →
London Thursday 3 September
Book →
London Friday 4 September
Book →
London Monday 7 September
Book →
London Tuesday 8 September
Book →
London Wednesday 9 September
Book →
London Thursday 10 September
Book →
London Friday 11 September
Book →
London Monday 14 September
Book →
London Tuesday 15 September
Book →
London Wednesday 16 September
Book →
London Thursday 17 September
Book →
London Friday 18 September
Book →
London Monday 21 September
Book →
London Tuesday 22 September
Book →
London Wednesday 23 September
Book →
Canterbury Tuesday 18 August
Book →
Exeter Tuesday 25 August
Book →
Cork Monday 7 September
Book →
Belfast Wednesday 9 September
Book →
Dublin Tuesday 8 September
Book →
Cambridge Tuesday 15 September
Book →
Stockholm Tuesday 15 September
Book →
Stockholm Wednesday 16 September
Book →
Chichester Tuesday 22 September
Book →
Lichfield Tuesday 29 September
Book →
St Andrews Thursday 12 November
Book →
Edinburgh Friday 13 November
Book →
Glasgow Saturday 14 November
Book →

Questions people ask

How much does a valuation cost?

Nothing. Valuations are complimentary, whether in person, online or by phone, and there is no obligation to sell.

How long does it take?

Around fifteen minutes. A valuation is a conversation, not an examination.

What should I bring?

Your viola, any bows, and any paperwork you have — old receipts, certificates or family letters can all help tell the story.

Do I have to sell my viola?

No. Many people simply want to know what they own. If you do wish to sell, we'll explain how consigning to auction works.

What if I can't get to a valuation day?

You can request an online valuation with photographs, or call us on +44 (0)20 7099 7114 to talk it through.

Does the size of my viola affect what it is worth?

Yes, more than most people expect. Body length decides who can play the instrument comfortably, and that decides who wants to buy it. It is one of the first things we measure.

I have a viola and a violin. Will you look at both?

Of course – and any bows too. There is no charge, however many you bring.

What we look at

Violas should be worth at least 15% more than a violin, purely based on their size. Sadly it doesn’t quite work like that. However, size is definitely important.

The first thing we measure is the body length. Violas were never standardised the way violins were, and an inch either way changes who can comfortably play the instrument – which changes what it is worth.

After that it is the same conversation as any instrument. Who made it, where, and when. The wood and the varnish. The condition, and what has been done to it over the years.

Violas also turn up as part of a set, or alongside a violin nobody in the family plays any more. Bring everything – there is no charge for any of it.

Also valuing

Amati values the whole family. If you have more than one instrument at home, bring them all — there is no charge for any of them.