Tarisio

The ‘Casals’ Goffriller follows a remarkable early journey through 19th-century England, shaped by a culture of collecting that drew many important Italian instruments out of their original context and into the hands of dealers and private owners.

First recorded in the possession of John van Somer of Stamford Hill, the cello later passed through W. E. Hill & Sons and Glasgow dealer David Laurie, reflecting the active and often commercially driven trade in fine instruments during the Victorian period. By the late 19th century, it had already become part of a shifting narrative of attribution, expertise, and evolving connoisseurship—moving between identities as it changed hands across Europe.

Today, this layered provenance remains an essential part of the instrument’s story, tracing how the ‘Casals’ Goffriller came to be understood as one of the defining Venetian cellos of its era.

Read the full story: The 'Casals' Goffriller, loaned to the winner of the 2026 Queen Elisabeth Cello Competition - Tarisio https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/cozio-carteggio/the-casals-goffriller-loaned-to-the-winner-of-the-2026-queen-elisabeth-cello-competition/

One of Tarisio's specialists will be in Madrid on May 29, offering complimentary evaluations of violins, violas, cellos, and bows, as well as accepting consignments for upcoming auctions and year-round private sales.

Whether you are curious about the value of your instrument or considering selling, this is an opportunity to meet one-on-one with Samuel Johnson, our Junior Specialist, to learn more about your options.

To schedule an appointment, contact [email protected].

The finals of the Queen Elisabeth Cello Competition will take place in Brussels next week, where the First Laureate will be awarded the extraordinary opportunity to perform on the ‘Casals’ Goffriller for the next four years.

Once owned and played by Pablo Casals for more than six decades, the instrument remains one of the most significant Venetian cellos of the early 18th century. In a gesture that connects legacy and future, the Fundació Pau Casals continues its mission of preserving Casals’s artistic and humanistic vision.

Read the full story: https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/cozio-carteggio/the-casals-goffriller-loaned-to-the-winner-of-the-2026-queen-elisabeth-cello-competition/

Tarisio Specialist Ben Gagnon will be in Montréal and Toronto on May 22–23 for complimentary auction evaluations and consignment appointments.

If you are considering selling a violin, viola, cello, or bow, this is an opportunity to meet with our team and learn more about the auction process ahead of upcoming sales.

Appointments are limited. Contact us to schedule your evaluation at [email protected].

For 16 years, Robert Bailey has played a key role in defining how Tarisio presents the world’s finest instruments.

As Head of Photography, Robert oversees the thousands of images produced each year across our New York, London, and Berlin studios. His work goes far beyond documentation. Every photograph is carefully crafted to capture the character, detail, and individuality of each instrument and bow.

Working closely with our team of photographers, Robert has spent years refining a creative and technical approach that ensures consistency while honoring what makes each piece unique. It’s this level of care and attention that continues to earn recognition from clients and helps set Tarisio apart.

Robert's impact is seen in every image we share. Meet more of the team behind Tarisio. https://tarisio.com/about-us/

Meet the Team: Samuel Johnson, Junior Specialist

Sam grew up in a family of musicians and began playing the violin at age nine. He later studied music at The University of Chichester Conservatoire, where his interests expanded from performance to the history of violin making and the world of auctions.

Today, he brings that blend of musical insight and historical curiosity to his work as a Junior Specialist.
Outside the office, you’ll find Sam performing in ensembles or engaging in some friendly competition on the sports field.
Sam will also be touring across Europe this month—catch him in:
Amsterdam (April 15), Bern (April 21), Zurich (April 22), Lucerne (April 23), and Basel (April 24).

Meet the rest of our team: Work With Us - Tarisio https://monkeylink.co/7ae167

Last call for consignments. We are currently welcoming consignments for our upcoming auctions and year-round private sales—your instrument or bow could set a new record. Final deadline for our June 2026 New York sale: April 17.

Tarisio also offers immediate, discreet private sales year-round. With thousands of industry contacts, we’re here to help you buy or sell with confidence.

Contact us today to learn more: https://monkeylink.co/9f0e39

Explore over 300 lots in our current T2 auction, including instruments, bows, and books—there’s something for every collector and musician.

Discover what’s in our current auction today, browse the catalog, and place your bids before it closes on April 16th.https://t2-auctions.com/auctions/?csid=2200715264

Final call. Bidding closes tomorrow, Monday, March 31, starting from 1 PM BST.

As the sale comes to a close, place your bids now!

More information about our lots, and registration for our March London sale can be found at the link in our bio. Auctions - Tarisio https://monkeylink.co/dc25dd

With bows for cello, violin and viola, this selection showcases a remarkable range of contemporary bow makers, with each bringing individuality and a unique flair to their work.

More information about each bow, and registration for our March London sale can be found at the link in our bio. Auctions - Tarisio https://monkeylink.co/dc25dd