Lorenzo And Tomaso Carcassi

History

Lorenzo And Tomaso Carcassi (circa 1750-1780) worked in Florence, Italy, as pupils of Giovanni Baptista Gabrielli. According to John Dilworth in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, the brothers Carcassi worked both together and individually during this period. Cecie Stainer, in A Dictionary of Violin Makers, states they worked in Florence about 1735-58. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart, notes that labels for Tomaso Carcassi appear as late as 1786, but questions the likelihood of them working in the 1730s, suggesting such claims might stem from a misreading.

Craft

• Model: Instruments were generally made to a high-arched Stainer model, which was prevalent in Florence at the time.
• Scroll: The scrolls are often described as crudely cut but distinctive, featuring a large eye and slender chamfers.
• Varnish: The varnish is typically of a clear, thin yellow colour, though sometimes a richer gold-brown. Cecie Stainer also describes their varnish as yellow-brown.
• Workmanship: The quality of their work varied significantly; some pieces exhibit quite coarse-looking craftsmanship yet are perfectly authentic, while others conform to more classical notions of craftsmanship and depth of varnish. Despite this range, Cecie Stainer notes their workmanship was generally good.
• Labels: Examples of their labels include "Lore e Tomo Carcassi. In Firenze nell' / Anno 1749. All' Insegno del Giglio", "Lorenzo Carcassi fec. / dalla Madonna de' Ricci / in Firenze, I'anno 1756", "Lorenzo Carcassi / in Borgo San Fridiano / fece l'anno 1742", "Ristaurato da me Lorenzo Carcassi / dalla Madonna de' Ricci / in Firenze 1740", and "Tommaso Carcassi / in Firenze, 1786".

Influence

• Mentorship: Lorenzo and Tomaso Carcassi were pupils of Giovanni Baptista Gabrielli.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: Lorenzo Carcassi's labels indicate workshops at "dalla Madonna de' Ricci" and "in Borgo San Fridiano" in Florence.

Summary

Lorenzo and Tomaso Carcassi were brothers who worked as violin makers in Florence, Italy, primarily between circa 1750 and 1780, though some sources suggest earlier or later activity. They were pupils of Giovanni Baptista Gabrielli and produced instruments, often on a high-arched Stainer model, with varying standards of finish and accuracy. Their work is characterized by a distinctive, though sometimes crudely cut, scroll and a clear, thin yellow or gold-brown varnish. Labels indicate they worked both individually and together, with specific addresses in Florence such as "dalla Madonna de' Ricci" and "in Borgo San Fridiano".