Scan 181
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1884
6 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 123. See the scan on archive.org.
1individuality of design. The ear is brought out with much effect; the purfling is splendidly executed, the corners being worked up to that extreme point of delicacy which is characteristic of the works of Niccolò Amati. The purfling is embedded after the manner of Amati in his "grand" instruments, but to a greater extent. The varnish is superb; its quality is of the richest description, and its transparency unsurpassed. Its colour varies; it is sometimes of a golden tint, sometimes of a pale red, on which the light plays with delightful variety. Pietro Guarneri used some of the finest wood. The bellies are invariably wide in grain and very even.
3GUARNERI, Pietro, Mantua, 1725. Son of Giuseppe filius Andrea. He followed to some extent the form of the instruments of his uncle Pietro, from whom, while in Mantua, he probably learnt his art. The work is very good, and his productions are well worthy of the Guarnerian name. The varnish is rich, but not so transparent nor so well laid on as to come up to the full standard. The scroll is rather weak.
5GUARNERI, Giuseppe Antonio, Cremona. Better known as Giuseppe del Gesù, his labels having the cypher IHS upon them. It is not known why he adopted this monogram, but it is possible that he belonged to a fraternity in Cremona, common at that period
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