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    Amati > Makers Archive > C > Lorenzo And Tomaso Carcassi

    Table of Contents

    Lorenzo And Tomaso Carcassi

    Florence, worked 1750–1780

    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".

    Worked Florence
    Made Cello, Viola, Violin

    Auction Price History

    Highest auction price

    £312,000

    96 results

    Type Details Auction house Sold Price
    ViolinLabelled Lor.° e Tom.° Carcassi In Firenze nell'Anno 1786 All'Insegna del Giglio Lot 97—September 2025£49,766est. € 40.000-60.000
    ViolinRosenberg collection, labelled Lor.° & Tom.° Carcassi, In Firenze nell'Anno 1781, All'Insegna del Giglio Lot 118—June 2023£132,000est. £ 40,000-60,000
    CelloUnlabelled Lot 111—November 2022£312,000est. £ 200,000-300,000
    ViolaLabelled Lor.o e Tom.o Carcassi, in Firenze nell'anno 1774, All'Insegna del Giglio Lot 44—March 2022£29,806est. $ 20,000-30,000
    ViolinLabelled Calcanius, not original head, many table and head restorations, table sound post crack Lot 260—June 2019£28,696est. € 20.000-25.000
    ViolinLabelled Lor.o e Tom.o Carcassi, in Firenze nell'anno 1764, all'Insegna del Giglio, branded to the inside Lot 173—March 2018£47,200est. £ 40,000-60,000
    ViolinUnlabelled Lot 257—March 2018£21,600est. £ 18,000-25,000
    ViolinLabelled Calcanius, not original restored head, many table restorations, table sound post crack Lot 70—November 2017£31,680est. € 20.000-25.000
    ViolinBearing the makers' label, some table restorations, table sound post crack, back blemish Lot 170—June 2017£43,848est. € 35.000-40.000
    ViolaSome table restorations Lot 208—June 2017£9,918est. € 7.000-8.000
    ViolinLabelled Lor.° e Tom.° Carcassi, In Firenze nell'Anno 1781, All'Insegna del Giglio Lot 22—March 2017£54,000est. £ 50,000-70,000
    ViolinLabelled Lor.o e Tom.o Carcassi, In Firenze nell'Anno 1769, All'Insegna del Giglio Lot 96—October 2016£16,800est. £ 14,000-18,000
    ViolaLabelled Lor.o e Tom.o Carcassi, in Firenze nell'Anno 1777, all'Insegna del Giglio Lot 43—June 2016£23,600est. £ 20,000-30,000
    ViolinUnlabelled Lot 55—March 2015£54,000est. £ 30,000-50,000
    ViolinUnlabelled Lot 171—May 2014£28,800est. £ 25,000-35,000
    ViolinLabelled Lor. e Tom. Carcassi, in Firenze nell'Anno 1745, All'Insegna del Giglio, head probably original Lot 264—May 2014£30,079est. $ 25,000-40,000
    ViolinLabelled Lor.° E Tom.° Carcassi, in Firenze nell'Anno 1784, All'Insegna del Giglio Lot 167—March 2014£45,000est. £ 35,000-55,000
    ViolinMany table restorations, table sound post crack, back worm restorations, restored head Lot 77—December 2013£19,908est. € 20.000-25.000
    ViolaLabelled Lor E. Tom Carcassi, In Firenze, nell Anno ..., head possibly original and reshaped at the chin Lot 104—October 2013£22,579est. $ 30,000-50,000
    Small ViolinUnlabelled Lot 24—April 2012£11,587est. $ 15,000-25,000
    Violin35.4 cm 18th C. Ascribed to—October 2011£7,500
    Violin35.2 cm Florence, 1770 c.—April 2011£22,503
    Violin35.3 cm Florence, 1750 c. (Italian scroll later)—October 2010£28,800
    Violin36.0 cm Late 18th C. Ascribed to & possibly by—October 2010£6,600
    Violin35.1 cm Florence, 1770 c.—October 2010£43,186
    Violin35.3 cm Florence, 1750 c. and later—June 2010£6,240
    Violin35.2 cm Florence, 1757 (small soundpost crack, head replaced)—June 2010£14,498
    Violin34.9 cm Florence, 1790 c.—April 2010£11,784
    Violin35.1 cm Florence, 1760 c.—March 2010£14,400
    Violin34.9 cm Florence, 1790 c. Probably by—October 2009£8,400
    Violin35.3 cm Probably Florence 1750 c. Attributed to—October 2009£9,494
    Viola39.3 cm Florence, 1760 c.—October 2009£30,000
    Violin35.6 cm Florence, 1750 c.—May 2009£27,174
    Violin36.0 cm Late 18Th Century—October 2008£5,061
    Violin35.7 cm Florence, 1751 c.—October 2008£36,685
    Violin35.5 cm Florence, 1760 c.—March 2008£31,700
    Violin35.5 cm Florence, 1743—October 2007£22,846
    Violin35.0 cm 1755 c.—July 2007£9,600
    Violin35.6 cm 18th C. Attributed to—February 2007£8,400
    Violin35.2 cm Florence, 1770 c.—February 2007£45,600
    Violin35.8 cm 1747—December 2006£6,470
    Violin35.6 cm Florence, mid-18th C. Ascribed to—November 2006£6,600
    Violin36.1 cm 1750 c. Ascribed to—May 2006£2,453
    Violin35.2 cm Florence, 1745—May 2006£18,968
    Violin35.7 cm Florence, 1748—May 2006£17,703
    Violin35.1 cm Florence, 1760 c.—February 2006£54,000
    ViolinFlorence, 1760 c.—November 2005£10,200
    Violin Ascribed to—May 2005£12,000
    ViolinFlorence, 1771—February 2005£24,000
    ViolinFlorence, 1740 c.—November 2004£17,925
    ViolinFlorence, 1760 c.—July 2004£16,800
    Violin1755 c.—October 2003£21,510
    Violin1750 c.—July 2003£10,800
    Violin1779—March 2003£21,150
    Violin1749—March 2003£8,225
    Violin1760—December 2001£14,657
    Violin1786—November 2001£20,000
    Viola40.4 cm 1761—June 2001£9,000
    Violin1765 c.—November 2000£23,500
    Violin1762—November 1999£14,000
    Cello1769—November 1999£95,000
    Violin1735—November 1999£34,500
    Violin1787—November 1999£18,400
    Violin1778—June 1999£20,000
    Violin1747—November 1998£29,900
    Violin1765—November 1998£28,750
    Violin1750 c.—February 1998£8,660
    Violin1765 c.—June 1997£25,300
    Violin1790—November 1996£23,000
    Violin1746—November 1996£20,700
    Cello1776—June 1996£47,700
    Violin1750—March 1995£25,300
    Violin1760—June 1994£18,400
    Violin1749—March 1994£31,050
    Violin1785—November 1993£24,150
    Violin1760—October 1993£14,950
    Violin17--—March 1993£3,680
    Violin1775—March 1992£8,800
    Violin1770—November 1991£16,500
    Violin1785 c.—March 1991£27,500
    Violin1750 c.—June 1989£6,820
    Violin1745—March 1989£5,720
    Violin1754—June 1988£9,900
    Violin1750-75—June 1988£5,060
    Violin1786—March 1987£16,508
    Violin1760—March 1987£17,600
    Viola40.3 cm 1767—March 1986£25,300
    Violin1745—July 1985£8,250
    Violin1750 c.—November 1984£8,250
    Violin1763—June 1984£2,852
    Violin1749—June 1984£5,296
    Violin17--—November 1983£6,973
    Violin17--—May 1981£10,450
    Violin1750-99—January 1981£5,378
    Cello1763—November 1980£23,100
    Violin1751—March 1980£4,156
    Show more

    Maker Overview

    Life

    Lorenzo And Tomaso Carcassi (circa 1750-1780) worked in Florence, Italy, as pupils of Giovanni Baptista Gabrielli. 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.


    Characteristics

    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".
    Recorded labels
    • In Firenze nell’
      Anno 1749John Dilworth
    • All’ Insegno del Giglio Lorenzo Carcassi fec.
      dalla Madonna de’ Ricci
      in Firenze, I’anno 1756John Dilworth
    • Lorenzo Carcassi
      in Borgo San Fridiano
      fece l’anno 1742John Dilworth
    • Ristaurato da me Lorenzo Carcassi
      dalla Madonna de’ Ricci
      in Firenze 1740John Dilworth
    • Tommaso Carcassi
      in Firenze, 1786John Dilworth

    Influence and legacy

    • 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.

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    Biographies

    The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

    John Dilworth+

    CARCASSI, Lorenzo & Tomaso Worked circa. 1750-1780 Florence Italy. Pupils of Giovanni Baptista Gabrielli, the brothers Carcassi worked both together and individually to varying standards of finish and accuracy, generally to a high-arched Stainer model which prevailed in Florence at that time. Often crudely cut but distinctive scroll with large eye and slender chamfers. Varnish is generally of a clear thin yellow colour; sometimes richer gold-brown. The range of quality can be quite unnerving; some quite coarse looking work can be perfectly authentic, while others conform to more classical notions of craftsmanship and depth of varnish. 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 Tommaso Carcassi / in Firenze, 1786

    Cecie Stainer+

    Worked in Florence about 1735-58. Though not in the first rank of makers, their workmanship was good : they used yellow-brown varnish.

    Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

    Wahrscheinlich Theilhaber der Firma Lorenzo e Tomaso C.; dass er auch allein gearbeitet hat, beweisen seine Zettel, die noch um 1786 vorkommen. Dass er schon in den dreissiger Jahren gearbeitet hat, ist unwahrscheinlich und beruht, wenn es behauptet wird, wohl auf einem Lesefehler.

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