The Guarneri del Gesù 1742 “Lord Wilton” is one of the most celebrated masterpieces from the hand of Giuseppe Guarneri, crafted during the final and most powerful phase of his career. By the early 1740s, Guarneri’s work had taken on a bold, individualistic character—broader outlines, rugged edges, and an intensity of form that gave his violins their unmistakable voice. The “Lord Wilton” embodies this style perfectly, with a deep red-brown varnish, strong arching, and a presence that reflects the maker’s genius in balancing raw strength with subtle elegance.
The violin takes its name from Lord Wilton, a 19th-century English nobleman who once owned it, but its fame today is inseparably tied to one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century: Yehudi Menuhin. Menuhin acquired the instrument in 1978 and performed on it for more than two decades, often describing its sound as dark, commanding, and filled with limitless color. Under his bow, the “Lord Wilton” was heard in concert halls around the world, from Bach to Bartók, always carrying a voice both noble and human.
When the violin was sold after Menuhin’s passing in 1999, it became one of the most valuable Guarneri instruments ever to appear at auction, reflecting both its rarity and its illustrious history. Today, the 1742 “Lord Wilton” is revered not only as a pinnacle of Guarneri’s art but also as a living bridge between Cremona’s golden age and modern performance. Its voice, shaped by centuries of music-making, continues to embody the passion and brilliance of its maker—an enduring testament to why del Gesù’s creations stand alongside Stradivari as the greatest violins in history.
The Guarneri del Gesù 1742 “Lord Wilton” is one of the most celebrated masterpieces from the hand of Giuseppe Guarneri, crafted during the final and most powerful phase of his career. By the early 1740s, Guarneri’s work had taken on a bold, individualistic character—broader outlines, rugged edges, and an intensity of form that gave his violins their unmistakable voice. The “Lord Wilton” embodies this style perfectly, with a deep red-brown varnish, strong arching, and a presence that reflects the maker’s genius in balancing raw strength with subtle elegance.
The violin takes its name from Lord Wilton, a 19th-century English nobleman who once owned it, but its fame today is inseparably tied to one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century: Yehudi Menuhin. Menuhin acquired the instrument in 1978 and performed on it for more than two decades, often describing its sound as dark, commanding, and filled with limitless color. Under his bow, the “Lord Wilton” was heard in concert halls around the world, from Bach to Bartók, always carrying a voice both noble and human.
When the violin was sold after Menuhin’s passing in 1999, it became one of the most valuable Guarneri instruments ever to appear at auction, reflecting both its rarity and its illustrious history. Today, the 1742 “Lord Wilton” is revered not only as a pinnacle of Guarneri’s art but also as a living bridge between Cremona’s golden age and modern performance. Its voice, shaped by centuries of music-making, continues to embody the passion and brilliance of its maker—an enduring testament to why del Gesù’s creations stand alongside Stradivari as the greatest violins in history.
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