Jacopo Filippo Cordanus

History

Jacopo Filippo Cordanus (circa 1720-1779) worked in Genoa, Italy. According to John Dilworth in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, he was active during this period. George Hart, in The Violin, and Cecie Stainer, in A Dictionary of Violin Makers, both note his activity around 1774 in Genoa. His instruments bear the label "Jacobus Philippus Cordanus / fecit Genuae. Anno fal.17.."

Craft

• Workmanship: John Dilworth describes his work as "quite rugged" and typical of the Genoese style.
• Design: His instruments feature a good Amatisé outline, with both flat and rounded archings. He used a flat model, according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart.
• Features: Dilworth notes broadly spaced soundholes, an awkwardly proportioned head, and a large volute topping a very slender-necked pegbox.
• Materials: He often used meagre materials and generally plain backs.
• Varnish: Cordanus employed a good varnish, sometimes with a pinkish tone, and occasionally deep orange-brown. Lütgendorff specifies a brownish-red varnish.
• Instruments: He produced violins and "usefully sized cellos."

Influence

• Stylistic Influence: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that his violins reveal a skilled hand and are based on Cremonese models.
• Potential Connections: Lütgendorff raises the question of whether Cordanus is connected to the Giordano family, but leaves the matter open.

Further Information

• Working Period: Circa 1720-1779, with specific activity noted around 1774.
• Working Location: Genoa, Italy.
• Label Inscription: "Jacobus Philippus Cordanus / fecit Genuae. Anno fal.17.."

Summary

Jacopo Filippo Cordanus was a luthier active in Genoa, Italy, from approximately 1720 to 1779. His work, described as rugged yet skilled, often followed a Genoese style with Cremonese influences, featuring a good Amatisé outline and a flat model. He used a distinctive brownish-red or pinkish-toned varnish and is known for producing violins and "usefully sized cellos." His labels typically read "Jacobus Philippus Cordanus / fecit Genuae. Anno fal.17.."