Scan 44
Cremona: an account of the Italian violin-makers and their instruments, 1894
16 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 22. See the scan on archive.org.
113. AMATI, Nicolas.
3Nicolaus Amati, Cremonen.
4Hieronymi filius, Antonii nepos fecit Anno 16—
5also,
6Nicolaus Amatus Cremonen
7Hieronymi filius, Antonii nepos fecit 16—
8also,
9Nicholas Amatus Cremonen.
10Hieronymi Fil. ac Antony Nepos Fecit 16—
12Cremona, born the 3rd of September, 1596, died on the 12th of August, 1684. (c)
13He was the son of Hieronymus, and by far the most noted artist of the Amati family. He continued for a long time to work according to his father's pattern, and made many violins of the small model. He creates the impression that he employed this first period in acquiring technical skill, and also in making experiments, for we find different examples in which he abandoned his first principles and changed his archings as well as the thickness of the wood; and in this way his new model appeared. An experienced eye can follow the gradual development until he designed his large model in 1625, and made violins which are to be placed among those of the highest rank. From the purfling the arching runs at first flat and then rises suddenly nearly an inch in height, up to the middle. The edge is rounded obliquely. The corners stand forward more, and give originality to the whole. This part of the design was for long the subject of discussion, and especially with regard to its acoustic effect. The result appeared to be that these fuller corners not only look pleasing to the eye, but also rather improve than lessen the quality and power of the tone. The selection of the wood was made with great care; the wood of the bellies is of a very even and fine grain, and the wood of the backs is handsomely figured. The F holes have all the character of his predecessor, and are merely more boldly curved. The scroll is of a handsome design, but rather
15(c) The researches of Signor de Piccolellis show that he was born on the 3rd of December, 1596, and died on the 12th of April, 1684. On the 23rd of May, 1645, he married Lucrezia Pagliari, (one of the witnesses being "Messer Andrea Guarnieri"), by whom he had five sons and four daughters.
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