powerful, projecting, clear

About the Instrument
This violin has a bold and gorgeous sound, with a warmth in its lower register and lovely tonal clarity in its upper register. Its varnish is a delicate amber over a golden ground, beautifully antiqued to emulate the patina of the original that inspired it: a violin by Antonio Stradivarius. It is “bench made”—entirely constructed by the master luthier Ming Jiang Zhu himself. This violin presents a rare opportunity to own an instrument crafted by one of the most influential luthiers in history.

Interior label reads: “International Competitions and Gold Medalist, / Silver Medalist and Multi-awards Winner / Ming Jiang Zhu / Guangzhou 2007”
Length: 356 mm
Upper Bouts: 167 mm
Middle: 112 mm
Lower Bouts: 207 mm

About the Maker
Ming Jiang Zhu (1955-2014) was born in Panyu District in Guangzhou, China to accountant parents. As was common for the region, Zhu toiled on sugar plantations as a child until he moved into construction as a teenager, quickly drawn to woodworking and painting. At twenty, Zhu was selected to be part of a small group to join the Guangzhou Musical Instrument Research Institute, which has since produced several notable luthiers. Zhu worked on Guo-Hiu Liang, a master luthier. Zhu’s work draws from the Italian tradition, often modeled on or inspired by Guarnerius and Stradivarius instruments both in sound and detail. His oil and antique finishes were made by hand, and he used longer-preserved woods. By 31, Zhu was awarded a Certificate of Merit for Workmanship at the prestigious Violin Society of America (VSA) Competition. Five years later, Zhu opened Mingjiang Violins, a workshop in a 215-square-foot apartment in Guangzhou. The next year, in 1992, Zu won a remarkable three awards at the VSA Competition. Time Magazine profiled Zhu in 1996 in an article titled “They’re Made Where?”, highlighting the ways Zu’s work was tearing down stereotypes about Chinese craftsmanship and simultaneously forging new ground for luthiers in the country. His instruments quickly became highly prized worldwide.

Over two decades, Zhu earned a remarkable nineteen awards from VSA Competitions. These include two Gold Medals in Violin Making in 1994 and 2006 and a Silver Award in Violin Making in 2006. Zhu was also received several accolades in China, pointing to his notable successes as a leading luthier in the country. In 2008, Zhu became a member of the l’Entente Internationale de Maîtres Luthiers et Archetiers d’Art. He was Vice President of his local luthier association and was a juror of the first International Chinese Violin Making Competition in 2010.