Instrument Type: Violin
Circa: 2011
Asking Price: SOLD
Maker: Eric T. Benning
The Violin
Eric Benning made this Balestrieri bench copy in 2011, listed in our catalog as Eric T. Benning, and based it on a violin by Tomasso Balestrieri of Mantua. The back is Bosnian maple, and the top is Italian spruce. The back measures 35.3 cm.
Italian spruce and Bosnian maple give a maker a classic pairing of tonewoods. So Eric Benning paired a traditional choice of wood with a traditional model in this 2011 Balestrieri bench copy. The result stays true to its Mantuan source.
These bench copies have become highly sought after. As a result, this Balestrieri bench copy by Eric Benning, dated 2011, holds real interest for players and collectors. It also shows the careful study a close copy demands.
Collectors who follow Eric Benning’s Balestrieri bench copy work will value this 2011 violin. It also suits a player who admires the Mantuan school and its bold, individual style of making. Finally, it offers a direct link to a maker whose copies players actively seek.
The Maker
Eric Benning grew up in the workshop. He started at age 11 under his violinmaking parents, and that start made him a third-generation luthier.
His great-uncle, the acclaimed American maker Carl F. Becker Jr., trained him in the Becker school. That training still guides how he approaches a close copy of a great original. In addition, it ties his work to the Italian masters.
Today he is the house luthier of Benning Violins in Los Angeles. More than 145 handcrafted instruments now carry his name. Teachers, soloists and orchestra members play them, including several from the LA Philharmonic.
Terms of Sale
This violin has sold, so it is no longer available for purchase. Benning Violins invites you to browse our current catalog of fine instruments. You can also contact us directly to ask about similar pieces.