Francesco (I) Grancino

History

Francesco (I) Grancino (circa 1660-1670) worked in Milan, Italy. According to John Dilworth in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, he was the younger brother and assistant of Giovanni Grancino. His work is primarily known from instruments bearing the joint label of Francesco and Giovanni. A few violins are also ascribed to him alone, crafted in a fine Amati style.

Craft

• Contralto Violas: Instruments bearing the joint label of Francesco and Giovanni are often fine contralto violas of excellent model, similar to those of Andrea Guarneri.
• Violins: A few violins ascribed to Francesco (I) Grancino alone are of a fine Amati style.
• Volute: Instruments feature a rather large volute, with the two central flutes merging at the front face in the manner of early Amati work.
• Corners: The corners are prominent and outward-pointing.

Further Information

• Labels: Instruments associated with Francesco Grancino bear various labels, including:
  • "Gio e Francesco Grancino / in Contrada Largha di Milano, anno 16.."
  • "Gio e Francesco fratelli de Grancini / in Contrada larga di Milano, 16.."
  • "Fratelli Grancini in Contrada / larga di Milano al Segno della / Corona. 16.."
  • "(Giov. Battista e Francesco fra. Grancini in contrada largo di Milano, 17—."

Summary

Francesco (I) Grancino was a Milanese luthier, active within the renowned Grancino family workshop. According to John Dilworth, he was the younger brother and assistant of Giovanni Grancino, working circa 1660-1670. However, other historical accounts, such as that by Cecie Stainer, describe a Francesco Grancino, identified as a son of Giovanni and grandson of Paolo, working later from 1700-1746 alongside a brother. His craftsmanship is noted for fine contralto violas, often compared to Andrea Guarneri's, and violins in the Amati style, characterized by a large volute and specific fluting. While some sources, like Stainer, describe the Grancino family's work as occasionally rough with plain wood, they consistently highlight the good tonal qualities of their instruments, particularly violoncellos and double basses.