Description: this violin is a fine old Italian instrument, the work of Domenico Busan of Venice. It dates from c.1770. It is a fine and characteristic example of the maker’s work.
Measurements: 35.2cm in length of body, with widths of 15.8cm and 19.7cm.
Violin maker: Busan, Domenico. Born circa. 1720 Treviso, died 1783 Venice Italy. Active in Venice from c.1743. Worked at the sign of ‘alla Madonna’ in Calle di Ca Dolfin from 1747, possibly the premises previously occupied by Gofriller. Left this address in 1751, and thereafter worked with the Ongaro family, occupied as a musician, instrument maker and businessman. From 1760 lived in the parish of S. Mattio next to the Rialto. Work is inconsistent and can be extremely coarse, with clumsy broad purfling and every aspect poorly articulated. Some early pieces do recall Gofriller, with a soft oily golden varnish, but most have a hard and unsophisticated red or brown coating. [John Dilworth]
Without the generous help of the HFF, i would have been in an impossible situation of finding myself without an instrument to play. I feel extremely lucky to be able to play and perform on such a beautiful violin, and it only motivates me to keep striving to play better and better. Thank you HFF for such a wonderful scheme!
Kana Kawashima, January 2018