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The Gentile Collection Seven years in the making, Paul Gentile's magnificent miniatures are exact replicas -- right down to the markings acquired over time-- in 1/7th the original size of legendary musical instruments. Only two of each miniature were created and only one of each is available for sale. The Gentile Collection consists of remarkably detailed miniatures of the 1679 Heller Stradivarius Violin, the 1957 Selmer Mrk VI Alto Saxophone, the 1688 Antonio Stradivari Guitar, the 1701 Antonio Stradivari "Servais" Cello, the 1785 Vincenzo Panormo Double Bass and the 1931 Eugene Sartori Double Bass Bow (which has been used to play the Panormo double bass). Gentile, a Canadian artist of Italian descent, is a true renaissance artisan. While a child, Gentile made extraordinary copies of Leonardo DaVinci's sketches and works of art, including the Mona Lisa. He refers to DaVinci and Michelangelo as his childhood heroes. Hellier Stradivarius Violin - 1679 As an example of the intricacy of Gentile's work, it took him 2 1/2 months to cut the fine parallel lines and chisel out the material between them in the Hellier violin's Baroque inlay -- which is about the thickness of a human hair. With mathematical precision, he also created 476 diamond and dot-shaped ivory pieces, about the size of grains of salt, which he inlaid in the ornamental border known as purfling. This compelling design begins and ends with a single dot. Gentile custom makes some of his own tools in order to achieve the minute details in his miniatures. He works with a jeweler's loop to see the tiny pieces, some of which are barely visible to the naked eye. The Hellier violin is one of the 10 decorative instruments that Antonio Stradivari himself created. Gentile's 500-piece miniature replication has successfully captured the essence of Stradivari's artistry, matching the original's woods and materials such as ebony, spruce, boxwood, willow and old ivory. Selmer Mrk VI Alto Saxophone - 1957 With just the right pucker, it is actually possible to elicit a sound from the mouthpiece of Paul Gentile's miniature reproduction of the Selmer Mrk VI alto saxophone. This amazing miniature is replicated from the original and crafted of 14 karat gold. Each of the 332 parts including the bamboo reed (which actually resonates,) springs, screws, rods and tubes, were duplicated by hand and capture the authenticity of the action of the original. Each separate component was fitted and drilled for steel springs. The key pads Gentile used for producing musical notes are all actionable. In 1994, this miniature was officially recognized as the world's smallest functioning alto saxophone. Like the masters whose work he reveres, Paul Gentile's unique art will delight and amaze for generations to come. Interested in owning the collection? Click here. [top] |
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| Home | About the Artist | Violin | Alto Saxophone | Guitar | Cello Double Bass | Double Bass Bow | FAQ | Press Room | Testimonials | Contact |
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| copyright © 2001 The Gentile Collection email : webmaster@gentilecollection.com |
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