Scan 81
Cremona: an account of the Italian violin-makers and their instruments, 1894
20 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 59. See the scan on archive.org.
1184. SIANI, Valentino. Florence, 1630. He made instruments refined in model and in construction. The varnish is brown, and is of a beautiful quality.
3The tone is not strong, but is noble and sympathetic. Siani made excellent violas.
5185. SPEILER. The Tyrol.
7186. STAINER, Jacobus. Cremona, and Absom in the Tyrol. He was during the whole of his life a poor man, followed by every imaginable misfortune, who was after his death elevated to an ideal position.
9Stainer was born on the 14th July, 1621, at Absom in the Tyrol. (s) As a boy he worked with an organ-builder at Innspruck, but as he was weak in body he took to a lighter occupation, violin-making, and, by means of the benevolent assistance of his parish priest, contrived to reach Cremona. There he is said to have worked under Nicolas Amati; but of this proof is wanting, and there is nothing in his work to show the influence of this master.
11History also relates that Amati sought to secure Stainer on account of his talent, and desired him to marry his daughter, but that this did not suit Stainer's wishes, and that to evade Amati's intentions he went to Venice and worked under Vimercati.
13When hardly twenty years old he returned to Absom, his native place, and made violins for the market at Hall, for which his price was six guldens.
15On the 7th October, 1645, he married Margaretha Hobzhammer, which union was blessed more with children than his art with remuneration, and the family fell into trouble and debt. (t) On the 29th October, 1658, Stainer was
17(s) According to the parish registers of Absom which are preserved in the church of Hall, he was the son of Martin Stainer and Sabine Grafinger.
19(t) See "Der Geigenmacher Jakob Stainer." By S. Ruf. (Innspruck, Wagner, 1872.) He was married on the 26th November, 1645.
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