Reference Library Makers

B.1699 Udine, d. ca 1760, Venice

Distinguished and prolific maker, dominant in Venice from ca 1730 until his retirement in 1744. Finely crafted violins and some cellos, mostly on a stylised Amati model. Used a fine red varnish early on, but later used harder gold and brown coloured recipes. Heads have a distinctive semi-circular cut at the end of the pegbox mortice. Often branded on the lower rib between the endpin and saddle. Giorgio Serafin (1726-1758) was his nephew, and also a fine maker. His much rarer work shows other influences from Cremona and Venice. Became the son-in-law of Domenico Montagnana, and took on his business after his death in 1750.