Washington's Premier Collection of Fine Cellos

Our cello collection spans several traditions and periods — from antique French workshop instruments made in Mirecourt in the late 19th century, to vintage French cellos by makers like Jerome Thibouville-Lamy and Laberte-Humbert, to contemporary master-made cellos by award-winning luthiers like Charles Coquet. We also carry select American workshop cellos and Italian-American instruments of genuine quality. Every cello in our collection has been personally evaluated by Jim Kelly. You can browse the full current inventory on our collection.

Authenticity is something we take seriously and represent honestly. Jim Kelly has spent over 25 years evaluating fine string instruments, and every cello we offer has been personally inspected for maker attribution, construction characteristics, and condition. Where formal documentation, certificates, or auction records exist, we provide them. Where attribution is based on expertise rather than paperwork, we tell you that clearly. We never oversell provenance. If you have additional authentication questions about a specific instrument, we encourage you to reach out directly or visit our appraisals page to understand how our valuation process works.

A workshop cello is built in a production environment where multiple craftspeople contribute to the finished instrument — a tradition that produced remarkable quality in centers like Mirecourt, France for centuries. A master-made cello is built entirely by a single named luthier, whose personal vision and skill are present in every detail of the instrument. Workshop cellos offer exceptional value and often outperform their price point significantly. Master-made cellos offer greater individuality, stronger investment fundamentals, and a direct connection to a recognized maker’s legacy. Both have an important place in our collection, and Jim Kelly can help you understand which is the right fit for your needs and budget.

Our cello collection spans a meaningful price range to serve different players and collectors. Workshop and vintage instruments typically begin in the $5,000–$15,000 range and represent outstanding value for advancing players. Professional and investment-grade cellos — including contemporary master-made instruments and historically significant pieces — range from $25,000 to $50,000 and above. Exceptional instruments by recognized masters can exceed these figures. We believe in transparent, honest pricing based on genuine market assessment, and we are always happy to discuss what your budget can realistically achieve. Visit our services page to learn more about how we work with buyers at every level.

Our cello collection spans a meaningful price range to serve different players and collectors. Workshop and vintage instruments typically begin in the $5,000–$15,000 range and represent outstanding value for advancing players. Professional and investment-grade cellos — including contemporary master-made instruments and historically significant pieces — range from $25,000 to $50,000 and above. Exceptional instruments by recognized masters can exceed these figures. We believe in transparent, honest pricing based on genuine market assessment, and we are always happy to discuss what your budget can realistically achieve. Visit our services page to learn more about how we work with buyers at every level.

Absolutely — and we strongly encourage it. A cello is an intensely personal instrument, and no written description or photograph can replace the experience of playing one. We welcome visits to our Washington, DC location by appointment, where you can spend meaningful time with any instrument in our collection. For clients who are not local, we are happy to discuss trial arrangements for qualified buyers. Please contact us to schedule a visit or discuss how we can make a remote trial work for your situation.

Yes. We understand that acquiring a fine cello is a significant investment, and we want to make that process as accessible as possible. Financing options are available for qualified buyers, allowing you to acquire the instrument that is truly right for you without compromising on quality. We also offer consignment arrangements if you are looking to apply the value of a current instrument toward an upgrade. Visit our consignment page or contact Jim Kelly directly to discuss the options available to you.

Most adult players use a full-size 4/4 cello, which is the standard orchestral instrument. However, players with smaller frames, shorter arms, or specific physical considerations sometimes find a 7/8 cello more comfortable — and the tonal difference is often negligible in the hands of the right player. We carry both full-size and fractional instruments in our collection. For younger students, 1/2 and 3/4 sizes are also available. If you are unsure which size is appropriate, Jim Kelly can guide you through the decision based on your physical measurements and playing level. Do not hesitate to reach out before making a decision.

Yes — and this is one of our most valued services. If you own a fine cello and are considering selling, Washington Fine Violins offers both direct purchase and consignment arrangements with a fair commission structure of 10–20%. Unlike auction houses that can take up to 50% of your final sale price, we work to achieve the best possible result for you while keeping our fees transparent and reasonable. Jim Kelly will provide an honest market assessment of your instrument before any agreement is made. Learn more on our cello consignment page or our sell with us page.

Yes. Washington Fine Violins provides professional cello appraisals for insurance, estate, and resale purposes. Our appraisal reports are prepared to professional standards and are suitable for use with insurance providers, legal proceedings, and estate planning. With over 25 years of experience in the fine instrument market, Jim Kelly brings genuine expertise to every valuation — not a generic certificate, but a carefully considered assessment of your specific instrument. Learn more and schedule an appointment on our cello appraisals page.