Antonio Pedrinelli

History

Antonio Pedrinelli (1781-1854) was born in 1781 and died in 1854 in Crespano, Italy. He was a prolific maker. Originally a carpenter, specifically a coffin maker, he later transitioned to violin making, achieving remarkable mastery. He thoroughly studied old masters and acquired valuable knowledge in acoustics, which greatly benefited his work.

Craft

• Models: He created models and copies of many classical Italian makers, including Stradivari, Maggini, and Guarnerius del Gesu.
• Workmanship: He produced work in various grades, with varying levels of finish and materials. Some pieces featured poor beech for the backs and broad-grained, coarse pine for the fronts, while others utilized finely figured maple and good straight-grained spruce. According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, he often used beech wood from old oars purchased in the Arsenal in Venice for the backs.
• Varnish: His varnish was red to orange-brown, possessing good texture and consistency. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff describes his varnish as almost orange-red.
• Construction Detail: He often left a gap in the purfling beneath the button on the back to maintain strength in the area of the neck foot.
• Scrolls: His scrolls were generally rather weak.
• Instruments: He made fine cellos and double basses, and produced all types of violins.

Influence

• Study: He studied the old masters very thoroughly.
• Inspiration: He worked after the styles of Stradivari, Maggini, and others.

Legacy

• Awards: He was awarded a gold medal in Venice in 1854.

Further Information

• Labels: He used various labels, including "Ad imitazione Giuseppe / Guarnerius del Gesu / No. 18 Antonio Pedrinelli / fe in Crespano 1844", "No 43 / Antonio Pedrinelli / fe. in Crespano 1853", and "Antonio Pedrinelli / ad imiationem Stradivari / fecit in Crespano Anno 1840".