Florence School
Giuseppe Scarampella
Florence, 1838–1904
Giuseppe Scarampella (1838-1904) was an Italian luthier born in Brescia. After working in Paris, he settled in Florence in 1866, where he became a pupil of Nicola Bianchi and worked with Luigi Castellani, eventually succeeding him as curator of the Cherubini Museum in 1884. Scarampella was highly regarded for his instruments, often modeled after Stradivari and Guarneri, as well as his own original patterns. His craftsmanship was characterized by careful workmanship, good materials, and a fine dark red or golden varnish, producing instruments with a clear and strong tone. He was also known for his restoration work, including important Stradivari instruments, and was considered an excellent repairer. His instruments are highly sought after for their tonal qualities, though his work is also commonly reproduced fraudulently.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.3 cm [Attributed to] | June 2008 | £960 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm 1880 c. [Ascribed to] | May 2006 | £7,652 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Florence [Workshop of] | May 2006 | £9,484 |
Maker Overview
Life
Giuseppe SCARAMPELLA (1838-1904) was born on August 25, 1838, in Brescia, Italy, the son of Paolo Scarampella.
Characteristics
- Models
- Giuseppe Scarampella was a highly regarded maker of Stradivari and Guarneri modelled instruments, often with a distinctly personal interpretation. He also created instruments based on his own original patterns.
- Workmanship
- His instruments show careful and accurate workmanship, with a clear and strong tone. John Dilworth observes that his work was inclined to overall heaviness, sometimes with the arching a little over-full and little relief at the edges. The scroll was often flat carved and somewhat bulky, yet complemented the overall style of the instruments.
- Materials
- He utilized good materials, frequently making use of local maple.
- Varnish
- Scarampella applied a fine dark red or golden varnish, also described as red or reddish-coloured oil varnish by various sources.
- Branding & Labels
- Internally, his instruments were branded 'Giuseppe Scarampella', and externally below the back button, 'Firenze'. Printed labels read 'Giuseppe Scarampella / fece in Firenze, anno 1889' or 'Giuseppe Scarampella fece in Firenze anno 188—'.
- Reproductions
- John Dilworth notes that his work is commonly reproduced and sold fraudulently.
- Giuseppe Scarampella
fece in Firenze, anno 1889John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Giuseppe Scarampella was a pupil of Nicola Bianchi. Sources offer conflicting locations for Bianchi's teaching: John Dilworth and Cecie Stainer state Bianchi was in Paris, while Karel Jalovec, Henri Poidras, and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff indicate Bianchi was from Genoa.
- Collaboration: He worked with Luigi Castellani in Florence, who highly regarded his ability and entrusted him with significant repair work on old instruments.
- Curatorship: He succeeded Luigi Castellani as curator of the Cherubini Museum, or Keeper of the collection of instruments at the Istituto Musicale of Florence, in 1884.
- Restoration: He restored the viola and the famous violoncello by Stradivari, which are kept in the Istituto Musicale of Florence.
- Reputation: His instruments are much sought after for their tone qualities, and Cecie Stainer predicted their value would increase with time. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that De Piccolellis considered him the best living repairer.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SCARAMPELLA, Giuseppe Born 1838 Brescia, died 1904 Varese Italy. Son of Paolo Scarampella, below. Pupil of Nicola Bianchi in Paris. Worked for Luigi Castellini in Florence 1866, succeeding him as curator of the Cherubini Museum. Very highly regarded maker of Stradivari and Guarneri modelled instruments, with a distinctly personal interpretation. Inclined to overall heaviness, sometimes the arching a little over-full, with little relief at the edges. Scroll rather flat carved and a little bulky, but complementing the overall style of the instruments. Fine dark red or golden varnish, and good materials, often making use of local maple. His work is commonly reproduced and sold fraudulently. Branded internally: ‘Giuseppe Scarampella’, and externally below back button: ‘Firenze’. Printed label: Giuseppe Scarampella / fece in Firenze, anno 1889
Cecie Stainer+
Son of Paolo Scarampella; b Aug. 25, 1838, Brescia. Pupil of Nicola Bianchi in Paris; 1865, returned to Brescia. In 1866 went to Florence to work with Luigi Castellani, who thought highly of his ability and gave him much important work to do in repairing old instruments. He restored the viola and the famous violoncello of Stradivari, kept in the Istituto Musicale of Florence, and in 1884 succeeded Castellani as Keeper of the collection of instruments there. He also makes new instruments, following the Stradivari or Guarneri del Gesu patterns, which will increase in value with time; their tone is clear and strong; the work is accurately and carefully done ; he uses a reddish-coloured oil varnish. Label’ “Giuseppe Scarampella fece in Firenze anno 188— “
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Sohn von Paolo Sc. Schüler von Niccolò Bianchi aus Genua, ging dann nach Paris wie sein Lehrer und blieb dort bis 1866. Hierauf liess er sich in Florenz nieder und verband sich mit Luigi Castellani, nach dessen Tode er Conservator der Sammlung des Florentiner Conservatoriums wurde. De Piccolellis halt ihn für den besten Reparateur unter den Lebenden. Auch seine neuen Instrumente sind meisterhaft; sie sind nach Stradivari und Guarneri und nach einem eigenen, originellen Modell gemacht und haben röthlichen Lack.
Henri Poidras+
Pupil of Niccolo Bianchi of Genoa. Make much sought after for its tone qualities. Followed both Stradivarius and Guarnerius models. Good red varnish. This maker worked in Paris in about 1860.
Karel Jalovec+
Brescia, Paris, Florence. Born at Brescia on Aug. 25, 1838, died in Florence in 1885. Son of Paolo Scarampella, pupil of Nic. Bianchi in Genoa. After having lived a short time in Paris, he settled down in Florence, where he worked in Luigi Castellani’s workshop and established himself, after the latter’s death, as independent craftsman. He applied red varnish. His fine copies of Stradivari’s and Guarneri’s works show the same careful workmanship as the patterns of his own creation. Price 16.000 K
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Pupils
Stefano Scarampella Pupil
Family
Stefano Scarampella Brother
Working in Florence at the same time
Eduardo Martini 1880–1930
Fernandino Ferroni 1868–1949
Giuseppe Del Lungo 1883–1926
Igino Sderci 1884–1983
Luigi Castellani worked 1809–1884
Marco Abrotano 1839–1876