Scan 139
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1909
11 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 95. See the scan on archive.org.
1BAGATELLA, Antonio, Padua, made both Violins and Violoncellos, a few of which have points of merit. He wrote a pamphlet in 1782 on a method of constructing Violins by means of a graduated perpendicular line similar to Wettengel's; but no benefit has been derived from it.
3BAGATELLA, Pietro, Padua, is mentioned as a maker who worked about 1760.
5BALESTRIERI, Tommaso, middle of the 18th century. Said to have been a pupil of Stradivari, which is probable.
7Thomas Balestrieri Cremonensis
8Fecit Mantuæ. Anno 17—
10The instruments of Balestrieri may be likened to those of Stradivari which were made during the last few years of his life, 1730-37. The form of both is similar, and the ruggedness observable in the latter instruments is found, but in a more marked degree, in those of Balestrieri. These remarks, however, must not be considered to suggest that comparison can fairly be made between these two makers in point of merit, but merely to point out a general rough resemblance in the character of their works. The absence of finish in the instruments of Tommaso Balestrieri is in a measure compensated by the presence of a style full of vigour. The wood which he used varies very much. A few Violins are handsome, but the majority are decidedly plain. The bellies were evidently selected with judgment, and have the necessary qualities for the production of good tone.
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