David López Ibáñez, a violinist with the Philharmonia Orchestra, has reported that his violin and three bows were stolen near his residence in Canonbury, located in the London Borough of Islington.
The theft occurred at approximately 7:30 PM on February 18, 2025. The stolen items were contained in a black Riboni Unoeotto case, distinctive because it lacks an external pocket.
The violin is an antique instrument crafted in 1740 by Lorenzo Carcassi in Florence, notable for a unique heart-shaped hole on the back of its scroll.
Alongside the violin, three bows were taken: an unlabelled Morizot frères bow, a Dodd bow featuring a mother-of-pearl tip, and a carbon fiber violin bow.
The police have assigned the Crime Reference Number 01/7178074/25 to the case and have obtained CCTV footage capturing the appearance of the suspected thief.
López Ibáñez has appealed publicly for assistance, stating on Instagram, “I would really appreciate if you could share this and ask your friends to share it too. Feel free to screenshot and share on any other platforms or groups that you think might be helpful.”
Anyone with information regarding the theft is urged to contact David López Ibáñez directly via email at david.lopez_ibanez@gmail.com or by phone at +44 7759 305552.
— The Violin Post Editorial Staff
