Andrea Castagneri
Paris, worked 1730–1762
Andrea Castagneri (circa 1730-1762) was an Italian violin maker who worked in Paris, France, known for his fine and original instruments based on an elegant Amati form with Stradivari-school influences.He was the son and pupil of Gian Paolo C. and worked at the Hôtel de Soissons before moving to the Rue des Prouvaires.His instruments feature varied varnish, almost invariably beech purfling, and are valued for their fine tone, despite some design quirks like oversized F-holes and unsuccessful flat-top violin experiments.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
38 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Labelled Landolfi, later French head, table cracks, many ribs and table restorations Lot 308 | Laurent | November 2023 | £6,562est. € 6.000-7.000 |
| Violin | Lot 60 | Bonhams | October 2011 | £11,250 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm 1760 c. Ascribed to | — | October 2011 | £11,250 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Paris, 1754 | — | March 2011 | £13,750 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Paris, 1740-1745 c. | — | December 2010 | £3,210 |
| Cello | 70.5 cm 7/8 size (restored soundpost crack on back) Workshop of | — | December 2010 | £4,142 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1740 c. | — | October 2010 | £10,200 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Paris, 1938 | — | June 2010 | £10,356 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Paris, 1740 c. (head replaced) | — | December 2009 | £14,689 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm 1750 c. (restorations) | — | March 2009 | £8,400 |
| Violin | 36.3 cm late 18th C. Attributed to | — | October 2007 | £2,570 |
| Cello | 74.5 cm Paris, 1742 | — | October 2007 | £26,900 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Attributed to | — | March 2007 | £1,380 |
| Cello | 73.5 cm Paris, 1743 In the period playing condition | — | February 2007 | £8,400 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1743 | — | October 2006 | £5,824 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1730 | — | February 2006 | £10,800 |
| Cello | Paris, 1743 3/4 Size | — | December 2005 | £5,588 |
| Viola | 42.2 cm Paris, 1741 | — | November 2005 | £20,400 |
| Violin | Paris 1838 c. Probably by | — | November 2005 | £3,941 |
| Cello | Paris, 1740 | — | June 2005 | £3,798 |
| Violin | Paris, 1760 | — | May 2005 | £12,000 |
| Violin | Paris, 1740 | — | November 2004 | £5,975 |
| Cello | 1750 (scroll replaced) | — | June 2003 | £3,610 |
| Cello | 1750 7/8 Size | — | June 2002 | £5,103 |
| Violin | 1750 | — | June 2002 | £3,533 |
| Violin | 1743 | — | November 2001 | £9,500 |
| Violin | 1749 | — | November 2001 | £5,709 |
| Violin | 1732 | — | May 2001 | £1,643 |
| Violin | 1754 | — | June 2000 | £9,791 |
| Violin | 1749 | — | June 1999 | £3,576 |
| Violin | 1750 | — | June 1999 | £3,099 |
| Violin | 1735 | — | May 1996 | £1,203 |
| Violin | 1743 | — | March 1995 | £5,520 |
| Violin | 1745 | — | November 1994 | £10,455 |
| Cello | 1743 | — | June 1994 | £6,325 |
| Violin | 1730 | — | November 1988 | £9,350 |
| Violin | 1745 c. | — | June 1988 | £5,720 |
| Cello | 1740 c. | — | April 1987 | £12,100 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Andrea Castagneri (circa 1730-1762) was an Italian violin maker who settled and worked in Paris, France.
, he worked in Paris from 1732 to 1757 at the Hôtel de Soissons, which was destroyed between 1748 and 1749.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that he was the son and pupil of Gian Paolo C., whom he surpassed, and resided in an annex of the Hôtel de Soissons until 1744, like his father.
After 1744, he moved to the Rue des Prouvaires, subsequently signing his name as Castagnery.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- His work is described by John Dilworth as very fine and original, belonging to the 'vieux Paris' school, with careful execution.
- Model
- His instruments are based on an elegant narrow Amati form with a somewhat pinched arch and slender corners, and his model belongs to the Stradivari-school.
- Varnish
- The varnish varies greatly in color, from yellow-brown to a pale red, and is of good quality. John Dilworth notes a fine rich golden-yellow varnish, while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff describes it as usually somewhat dry and reddish-brown.
- Purfling
- Beech purfling is almost invariably used.
- Tone
- His instruments possess a fine tone and are appealing.
- F-holes
- His F-holes are noted by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff as being too large and too wide open.
- Unsuccessful Attempts
- His attempts to build violins with very flat tops are described as unsuccessful by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
- Instrument Types
- He made good violins, altos, and basses, and his rare cellos are of small form and are particularly noteworthy.
- Andre Castagneri fait à Paris
aux Hôtel de Soissons 1736John Dilworth - Andrea Castagneri nell’
Pallazzo di Soissone Pariggi 1745John Dilworth - Castagnery, rue des Prouvaires
Parigi 1747John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Andrea Castagneri was the son and pupil of Gian Paolo C.
- School: His model belongs to the Stradivari-school.
- Reputation: His violins almost always retain an Italian appearance and are valued.
- Preservation: A violin made by him is preserved in the Snoeck collection, which is now located in Berlin.
Further Information
- Labels: Examples of his labels include "Andrea Castagneri nel palazzo di Soessone, Parigi, 1740", "Andrea Castagneri nell' / Pallazzo di Soissone Pariggi 1745", and "Castagnery, rue des Prouvaires / Parigi, 1747".
- Dated Instruments: Instruments by Castagneri include violins dated 1732, 1735, 1739, 1740, 1744, 1745, 1747, and 1757, an alto dated 1741, and a bass dated 1751.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
CASTAGNERI, Andrea Worked circa. 1730-1762 Paris France. Very fine and original work of the ‘vieux Paris’ school, but based on an elegant narrow Amati form with a somewhat pinched arch and slender corners. Fine rich golden-yellow varnish. Beech purfling almost invariably. Rare cellos are of small form. Andre Castagneri fait à Paris / aux Hôtel de Soissons 1736 Andrea Castagneri nell’ / Pallazzo di Soissone Pariggi 1745 Castagnery, rue des Prouvaires / Parigi 1747
George Hart+
This Italian maker appears to have settled in Paris. I have seen a Violin by Castagneri, date 1735 ; flat model, bold outline, and varnish of good quality.
Cecie Stainer+
An Italian who worked in Paris, 1732-57, at the Hotel de Soissons (which was destroyed 1748-9). He made good instruments ; the varnish varies greatly in colour, from yellow-brown to a pale red. A violin dated 1735 was not arched, but the varnish is of good quality. An alto dated 1741, with yellow varnish, has a fine tone.
“Andrea Castagneri nel palazzo di Soessone, Parigi, 1740″; a similar label dated 1744;
” Castagnery, rue des Prouvaires, Parigi, 1747″ (in a badly restored violin).
Other dates are in violins, 1732, 1735, 1739, 1757 ; in a bass, 1751.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Sohn und Schüler von Gian Paolo C., den er allerdings übertrifft. Sein
Modell gehört der Stradivari-Schule an, die Arbeit ist sorgfältig, der Lack gewöhnlich etwas trocken und von rothbrauner Farbe und der Ton ansprechend.
Nur seine F-Löcher sind zu gross und zu weit offen. Seine Geigen haben aber
fast immer noch ein italienisches Aussehen und werden geschätzt. Er wohnte
bis 1744, wie sein Vater, in einem Anbau der Hôtels Soisson, zog dann
nach der Rue des Prouvaires und schrieb von da an seinen Namen Castagnery.
Auch seine Violoncelli dürfen hervorgehoben werden, dagegen sind seine Versuche,
Geigen mit ganz flacher Decke zu bauen, als missglückt zu bezeichnen.
Eine Geige von ihm bewahrt die Sammlung Snoeck (jetzt in Berlin).
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