Carlo Antonio Testore

TESTORE, Carlo Antonio Born circa. 1693, d.c.1765 Milan Italy. Son, pupil, and successor of Carlo Giuseppe Testore, below, at the sign ‘dell’Aquila’ in Contrada Larga. More prolific maker than his father, but generally a less conscientious craftsman. Assisted in later years by his own son Giovanni. Instruments often lacking purfling, with the lines scratched into the edges of the plates, and the back of the pegbox left flat. Where purfling is used it is generally of beech wood. Soundholes usually of Stradivari or Amatisé form, but poorly cut and with small unfluted wings and finial circles. Scrolls have a pronounced ovality to the outline along the plane of the fingerboard. Golden-yellow to plain brown varnish and often very plain materials. Branded internally and with double-eagle mark: ‘C.A.T.’ Carlo Antonio Testore figlio maggiore / del fu Carlo Giuseppe in Contrada lar- / ga al segno dell’ Aquila, Milano 1741 Carlo Antonio e Giovanni padre e figlio / Testori, il qual Carlo e figlio maggiore / del fu Carlo Giuseppe Testore, abitanti / in Contrada larga al segno dell’ Aquila / Milano, 1764

Eldest son of Carlo Giuseppe Testore, from whom he learnt his trade. Worked in Milan, in the Contrada Larga, at the sign of the Eagle (dell’ aquila), about 1735-65 ; according to one label was associated with his son Giovanni in 1764. His violins are made on the Guarneri pattern, of excellent wood, though not finely figured; the varnish is golden-yellow in colour, the workmanship is good. His violoncellos and altos are especially fine instruments; the varnish, rather thick, is generally brown in colour. Labels: ” Carlo Antonio Testore figlio maggiore del fu Carlo Giuseppe in Contrada larga al segno deir aquila, Milano, 1741 ” ; another label is dated 1736: “Carlo Antonio e Giovanni padre e figlio Testori, il qual Carlo e figlio maggiore del fu Carlo Giuseppe Testore, abitanti in Contrada larga al segno dell’ aquila, Milano, 1764

Son of Giuseppe. Copied Guarneri and Amati. These instruments are bold and well made ; their tone is excellent.

Älterer Sohn und Schüler von Carlo G. T. Er arbeitete nach Nic. Amati, Guarneri u. Strad., verwendete meist sehr gutes Holz und einen goldgelben, in’s Bräunliche spielenden Lack, der nur zu dick ist und wenig Feuer hat. Er wohnte in der Contrada Larga und hatte wie sein Vater das Ladenschild »all’ aquila«, wesshalb er auch eine Brandmarke anbrachte, die einen Adler vorstellte. In seinen letzten Jahren arbeitete er gemeinsam mit seinem Sohne Giovanni. Ihre Geigen zeichnen sich durch Tonfülle aus.

Milan circa 1680-1760. Son and pupil of Carlo-Giuseppe. Amati and Guarnerius models. His own model is large and heavy of aspect. The sound holes, after the Guarneri manner, are very open. Thick yellow-brown varnish. Excellent instruments. Apart from the label, an eagle is branded.

Milan. Born about 1688, died after 1764. Son and pupil of Carlo Giuseppe Testore. His works differ from those of his father by their larger pattern and higher arching. He worked on the models of Nic. Amati, Guarneri del Gesu and occasionally on that of Stradivari. The wood he used is very good. He applied a golden yellow varnish. The tone of his instruments is powerful and of good quality. Valued instruments. Price 45 — 50.000 Kc.