For over 125 years, J & A Beare has built a reputation as the world’s most respected violin dealer and expert through authenticating, valuing, selling, making and restoring instruments and bows of exceptional quality.
Understanding Your Needs
Our clients’ attachment to their instruments and the passion of their symbiotic relationship is something we appreciate and share but, when it comes to buying or selling a violin, viola, cello or bow, the process can be quite daunting.
We can help you navigate this process, finding the instrument with the most suitable tone and response for your needs and providing you with advice on value and investment potential. We are based in a six-storey period building in the heart of Marylebone in London: here you will find an exceptional selection of fine instruments to choose from. The highly-skilled craftsmen and women from our own workshop will be on hand to help you achieve the best sound for your instrument.
“J & A Beare is like my home… my violin home. I owe this shop a lot for matchmaking me with my Strad.”
– Joshua Bell –
“When I was a student, my very first concert experience on a Stradivari was arranged by Beare’s. Now they are looking after my 1721 Strad and I couldn’t be more grateful. Beare’s really is the place to go for all string players.”
– Ning Feng –
“J & A Beare’s trusting support has served as a beacon of enlightened sponsorship in the stringed instrument world.”
– Ralph Kirshbaum –
Our Extensive Collection
Supported by our unrivalled team of specialists, many of the world’s leading artists have chosen to perform on instruments acquired through us. In recent years, J & A Beare has completed the sale of more than sixty instruments by Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesù, among hundreds of other fine examples by Italian and European makers. In 2012, Beare’s set the world record price for a violin with the sale of the ‘Vieuxtemps’ Guarneri del Gesù for more than $16m.
Our Expertise
Our expertise is renowned internationally and the J & A Beare Certificate of Authenticity is relied upon as a leading industry standard. We have certified thousands of instruments over the last fifty years and during that time we have collated an extensive and accurate photographic archive.
Access to Our Network
Our extensive network of patrons, collectors, foundations and players provides each client with unique access to the world of musicians and investors alike, as well as to a wide selection of fine instruments, including those by master luthiers Antonio Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesù and Nicolò Amati, but also many other Italian and European makers from the 17th century all the way to contemporary craftsmen.
