Instrument Type: Cello
Circa: 2019
Asking Price: SOLD
Maker: Eric Benning
The Cello
This Eric Benning Goffriller cello from 2019 stands out first for its one-piece back. A single slab of maple runs the full width of the instrument. Indeed, one-piece cello backs remain rare because the log must be very wide.
That back uses quarter-cut Bosnian maple from the 1960s. Quarter cutting follows the grain of the tree. As a result, the wood tends to stay stable over time.
The top tells a second story. Eric fashioned it from Northern Italian spruce that the family acquired in the 1950s. So the spruce had about seventy years to season before he carved it.
Eric chose the classic model by Matteo Goffriller for this cello. At the time, it stood as his latest work. In addition, the Goffriller pattern gives players a broad, full frame that many cellists love.
For a buyer, the 2019 Goffriller cello by Eric Benning offered a rare mix. It joined old, family-held wood with fresh, careful construction. Today, that cello belongs to a new player.
In 2019, Eric Benning gave this Goffriller cello a rare back. Then, in 2019 again, Eric Benning finished it with old spruce for this Goffriller cello.
The Maker
Eric Benning serves as the house luthier of Benning Violins in Los Angeles. He trained under his parents, Hans and Nancy Benning, who both make violins. He also learned from his great-uncle Carl F. Becker Jr.
Those teachers passed down more than technique. They also passed down wood. For instance, the 1950s spruce in this top came from family stock, not from a supplier.
Over time, Eric has built on several great models. Here he turned to Goffriller, the Venetian master. Thus, this Eric Benning cello from 2019 shows a maker who honors tradition while still working at full strength.
Terms of Sale
This cello has sold, so it is no longer available for purchase. Benning Violins invites you to browse our current catalog of fine cellos. You can also contact us directly to ask about similar pieces.