Enrico Cattenar, Turin, c. 1700
Violin: 22086
Labeled, "Nicolaus Amatus Cremonensis, Hyeronimi filii, ac Antonii Nepos, fecit anno 1646."
Formerly known as a Girolamo Amati II, the 'Mussolini'
Back: One-piece of narrow curl
Top: of medium grain
Scroll: of medium curl
Ribs: of medium curl
Varnish: Gold brown
Length of back: 35.1 cm
There are 2 additional images in the archive which are not available publicly. Please contact us for more information.
Notes:
"In Herrmann's vault is a violin labelled 'Nicolo Amati, 1646,' which is known to have been made by his less famous son, Girolamo. It was the favorite violin of Benito Mussolini, who always thought he had a genuine Nicolo Amati."Trustee in Fiddledale - II, Joseph Wechsberg, The New Yorker, October 24, 1953, New York
Provenance
| Benito Mussolini | |
| until 1955 | Emil Herrmann, New York |
| from 1955 | John Burnett |
| in 1979 | Current owner |
Certificates & Documents
Certificate: Kenneth Warren & Son, Chicago, IL (1979)- Certificate: Emil Herrmann, New York, New York, NY (1955) #1258. Dates the instrument 1695c.
- Certificate: Kenneth Warren & Son, Chicago, IL
Cozio holds copies of many certificates and other documents, some of which are available to view on request. Please contact us if you wish to view a particular document. (Note that we do not always have permission to share documents.)
References
Christie's Fine Musical Instruments Auction Catalog, May 5, 2000, New York, Christie's, Christie's, New York (illustrated)- The Jacques Français Rare Violins, Inc. Photographic Archive and Business Records, 1844-1998, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC (illustrated)
- The New Yorker, October 24, 1953, Joseph Wechsberg, New York