Books › the history of the violin, 1864 › scan 234
Scan 234
the history of the violin, 1864
2 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 212. See the scan on archive.org.
1His pattern is generally large, though he made some of a smaller form. The model is somewhat elevated, while the lower plate is flattened towards the extremities, but swelling towards the sides, which are large, with the curves lessened towards the corners. There is a double purfling, terminating sometimes at the top and bottom like a trefoil. They have generally spirit varnish of a fine golden colour, but sometimes of a deep brown. The tone is less mellow than the instruments of the Stradiuarius family, and less powerful than those of the Guarnerius, having more analogy with the tone of the viol. His ticket was thus, "Gio: Paolo Maggini in Brescia." De Beriot, celebrated for his fine and powerful tone, of which the younger Cervetto told one of the writers of this work he had not heard the like since the days of Giardini, brought the instruments of this maker into notice in England by playing on a very fine one. Mr. George A. Osborne, the eminent pianist and composer, and, from his finished musical taste and skill, a most competent judge, who has written, also, many pieces in conjunction with De Beriot, says that the tone of this particular instrument was equal to any he had ever heard. Maggini left a son called Pietro Santo Maggini, who worked from 1630 to 1680, imitating his father's models, and was particularly noted for his double-basses. There were several makers of the family of Ruggeri, but it is difficult to state their order of succession, or even their numbers accurately. The eldest appears to have been Francesco, who worked at Cremona from 1640 to 1684, or later; there being tickets mentioned of the latter date. He was a pupil of Antonius Amati, and followed his principles of construction. He made some good instruments; his model was large, the wood thick, the purfling broad, with deep brown varnish. He was known by the
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