Emilio Celani

History

Emilio Celani (1866-1898) was born in 1866 and died in 1898 in Ascoli Piceno, Italy. He was the brother of Constantino Celani and was known as 'The Turk'. According to John Dilworth in The Brompton’s Book of Violin & Bow Makers, Celani was a prolific maker.

Craft

• Instrument Production: Emilio Celani was a prolific maker of violins, guitars, and mandolins.
• Violin Model: His violins were based on an Andrea Guarneri model.
• Varnish: He used a transparent yellow varnish, similar to that of his brother.
• Quantity: He also made over 200 guitars and mandolins.
• Skill: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart, noted that he built violins, mandolins, and guitars and was not unskillful.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: Celani's workshop was located in Ascoli Piceno.
• Labels: Examples of his labels include "Emilio Celani / fece in Ascoli Piceno 1881" and "Emilio Celani / detto il Turco / fece in Ascoli Piceno 1896".

Summary

Emilio Celani (1866-1898) was an Italian luthier from Ascoli Piceno, known as 'The Turk'. He was the brother of Constantino Celani and produced a significant number of violins, often based on an Andrea Guarneri model with a transparent yellow varnish, as well as over 200 guitars and mandolins. His work is documented by John Dilworth and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.