Pesaro School
Gasparo Assalone
Pesaro, worked 1695–1740
Gasparo Assalone was an Italian instrument maker, believed to have worked in Pesaro and Rome between approximately 1695 and 1740. His existence and the authenticity of instruments bearing his name are highly debated among historians, with some suggesting his name is a corruption of 'Gasparo da Salò' and that labels are likely forgeries. Instruments attributed to him are described as following the Amati pattern but with excessive arching, rough workmanship, and poor quality yellow varnish.
Maker Overview
Life
Gasparo Assalone (circa 1695-1740) worked in Pesaro and Rome, Italy. The name 'Assalone' is possibly a corruption of 'Gasparo da Salò' and is considered highly dubious. Cecie Stainer notes he was a maker in Rome in 1740. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states he is believed to have worked around 1690 and lived until about 1740. Dilworth mentions that Henley gives the impression of several extant instruments in 'Amatise-Klotz' and 'Brescian' styles, but there is no other confirmation of this. Strocchi claims a treatise on instrument making was written by Assalone, which would be the earliest account of the craft if it exists, though it is not recorded in any other source.
Characteristics
- Model
- His instruments are described as being made on the Amati pattern, but with too much arching.
- Workmanship
- George Hart and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff describe the workmanship as rough or 'unsauber'.
- Varnish
- The varnish is characterized as yellow and of poor quality by Cecie Stainer, and thin yellow by George Hart.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
ASSALONE, Gasparo Worked circa. 1695-1740 Pesaro & Rome Italy. The name is possibly a corruption of ‘Gasparo da Salò’ and is highly dubious. Henley (as is often the case) gives the impression that there are several instruments extant of differing types: ‘Amatise-Klotz’ and ‘Brescian’ styles, but there is no other confirmation of this. Strocchi claims there is a treatise on instrument making written by this man, which would be the earliest account of the craft if it exists. It is not recorded in any other source. Boalch lists a clavichord bearing the label ‘Gaspare Assalone fecit Romae Anno MCDDXXXII’ which unfortunately is a nonsensical date, possibly intended to be 1632 or 1732, and considered a 19th century fake by Franciolini. [Henley]
George Hart+
The model is high and the workmanship rough. Thin yellow varnish.
Cecie Stainer+
A maker in Rome, 1740. His instruments are made on the Amati pattern, but are too much arched ; the varnish is yellow, of poor quality.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Arbeitete, wie behauptet wird, um 1690 und soll noch um 1740 gelebt haben.
Man sagt, dass er im Umriss das Amati-Modell nachahmte, jedoch die Wölbung
zu hoch nahm und unsauber arbeitete. Wahrscheinlich ist dieser Gasparo d’
Assalone aus dem Namen Gasparo da Salò’s entstanden. Die Zettel mit seinem
Namen dürften daher Fälschungen sein.
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