Italy
Vincenzo Postiglione

Wood, ebony, MOP, metal
1897 CE
Body Length: 14 in; String Length 12.9 in
Strings – Lutes – Violin Family

Label inside handwritten/signed: “ N .. Vincentius Postiglione / me fecit Neap. 1897″ / double circle around:  ” + / V.P.” 

This full-sized Vincenzo Postiglione violin with a carved man head scroll, has a two piece back made from softly flamed maple.  The table is likewise matching high quality even grained spruce.  Purfling has been painstakingly inlaid front and back.  The varnish is original, and the violin is in excellent condition. 

This violin came with its original case and two violin bows: One stamped: H.R. PFRETZSCHNER above the frog on the wood w/ logo on frog; and the second with no name. This second bow has a medium color marbled stick with light hair and MOP decoration on the frog. The frog and screw are both made of ivory and heavily stylized, with the frog ending in a hooked carving.

Vincenzo Postiglione (1831-1916) was born in Naples where he started learning the rudiments of violin making from his father.  At the age of 16 he began studying in earnest with Vincenzo Iorio, who died in 1849.  Following the death of lorio, he became more interested in studying the works of the Gagliano style.  Postiglione established his own workshop in 1855, but by the 1870’s had shifted his models to the Cremonese Masters of Stradivari and Guarneri.  By the 1880s, Postiglione’s knowledge and skills made him the most influential luthier of the modern Neapolitan school.  Then in 1892, he began training Alfredo Contino, until his death in 1916.

Resource:  https://brobstviolinshop.com/makers/vincenzo-postiglione/