Giovanni Francesco Celoniato

(1676 – 1751)

One of the most distinguished makers of the Turin school, Giovanni Francesco Celoniato -- or Celoniatus in Latin -- is thought to have been a pupil of Giofreddo Cappa. Although chronologically this is plausible since Celoniatus was born after Cappa, geographically it is less convincing since Cappa worked in Saluzzo, some 30km ...Read More outside of Turin. Nonetheless, either a formal or remote influence would account for similarities stylistically between the two makers' work.

The influence of Amati is also evident in Celoniato's work in their delicate model and fine craftsmanship, though the features which we associate most closely with the Turin school, and those most distinctive to Celoniato, are slanted sweeping f-holes and nipped-in C-bouts. Whereas it has been suggested that these personal features rather show an affinity for the Cremonese master Carlo Bergonzi, their presence in Turin a full decade before Bergonzi's height of production seems to dispel a discernible connection and are more likely a stylistic relic of Enrico Cattenar, the maker most commonly recognized as founding the Turin school almost a century prior.

Celoniato's instruments are relatively rare and show careful, refined workmanship and great skill. The violins exhibit delicately carved scrolls with a deeply-cut neck and usually feature handsome one-piece backs made of a distinctive flamed maple. Strikingly similar wood is found in instruments by Spiritus Sorsana of Cuneo, which also show a modest but unproven influence of the great Turinese. Read Less