Andrea Amati, Cremona, c. 1570, the 'Stanley Solomon Tenore'
Viola: 42943
Unlabeled.
Back: One-piece, slab-cut
Top: Pine of slightly wavy grain of medium width; has been restored
Scroll: Later, but matches the instrument; possibly the work of the Brothers Amati
Ribs: Marked by a faint small curl
Varnish: Golden brown
Length of back: 43.3 cm
Upper bouts: 20.5 cm
Middle bouts: 14 cm
Lower bouts: 24.5 cm
There are 3 additional images in the archive which are not available publicly. Please contact us for more information.
Notes:
Actually a tenore, not a viola, but at some time it was reduced in size so that its dimensions today more resemble a modern viola.A Genealogy of the Amati Family of Violin Makers, Daniel Draley, A Genealogy of the Amati Family of Violin Makers: 1500-1740, Iowa City
"Dan Draley does not agree with the Hill opinion and puts forth the hypothesis that this could be the oldest instrument known by Andrea."
Andrea Amati Opera omnia: Les Violons du Roi, Fausto Cacciatori, editor, Andrea Amati Opera omnia: Les Violons du Roi, Cremona
Provenance
| Sold by William Moennig & Son | |
| until 1950 | W. E. Hill & Sons |
| from 1950 | T. Moller |
| until 1970 | W. E. Hill & Sons |
| ... | ... |
| from 1970 and in 1980 | Stanley Solomon |
| until 1988 | Sau-Wing Lam |
| from 1988 | Current owner |
Known players
Stanley Solomon
Certificates & Documents
Certificate: Harry A. Duffy, Miami, FL (1978)- Certificate: W. E. Hill & Sons, London (1970) Dates the instrument to circa 1580.
- Certificate: W. E. Hill & Sons, London (1950)
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
A Genealogy of the Amati Family of Violin Makers: 1500-1740, Daniel Draley, The Maecenas Press, Iowa City (illustrated)- Andrea Amati Opera omnia: Les Violons du Roi, Fausto Cacciatori, editor, Consorzo Liutai Antonio Stradivari, Cremona (illustrated)
- Private Archives - 10746
- Sau-Wing Lam, Dietmar Machold (illustrated)
- The History of the Viola, Volume I, Maurice W. Riley (illustrated)
- W. E. Hill & Sons Photographic Archive (illustrated)