Giuseppe Ceruti
Cremona, Sesto Cremonese, 1785–1860
Giuseppe Ceruti was an Italian violin maker born in Sesto Cremonese in 1785, who died in Mantua in 1860. The son and pupil of Giovanni Battista Ceruti, he continued the family tradition, working in a similar style but with a more refined finish. He moved to Mantua in 1856, where he taught G. Antoniazzi. His instruments, characterized by yellow or deep red-brown varnish and traditional Cremonese neck construction, are rare. He received an Honourable Mention at the Paris Exhibition in 1855 and was also known as a restorer of old violins.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
3 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.3 cm Cremona, 1847 c. Attributed to | — | June 2011 | £20,400 |
| Violin | 1860 | — | November 2003 | £43,000 |
| Viola | 41.4 cm 1845 | — | March 1993 | £45,500 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Giuseppe Antonio Ceruti (1785-1860) was born in 1785 in Sesto Cremonese, Italy, and died in 1860 in Mantua, Italy. Sources contain conflicting information about his birth year, with Cecie Stainer stating he was born about 1787. He was the son, pupil, and assistant of Giovanni Battista Ceruti. Giuseppe Ceruti worked in a similar style to his father, though less productively and with a slightly more refined finish, with his own label appearing only after Giovanni Battista's death in 1817. He left Cremona for San Benedetto Po, Mantua, around 1850, settling permanently in Mantua itself in 1856. Here, he became the teacher of G. Antoniazzi., two violins were submitted to the Paris Exhibition in 1855, where he received an Honourable Mention. George Hart notes that he was a maker and restorer of instruments, exhibiting violins of good quality at Paris and other exhibitions. Cecie Stainer also mentions he occupied himself with repairing old violins.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- Instruments produced by Giuseppe Ceruti are rare, exhibiting fine modelling.
- Varnish
- His instruments feature yellow or deep red-brown varnish.
- Neck Construction
- He retained the traditional Cremonese neck, which was nailed rather than morticed to the upper block.
- Scrolls
- The scrolls are finely concentric with a light chamfer.
- Joseph Ceruti filius Joannis Baptistae
Cremonensis fecit anno 18..John Dilworth - Josephus Cerutti filius Joannis Baptistae
Cremonensis fecit anno 18..John Dilworth - Giuseppe Ceruti
fece in Cremona 18..John Dilworth - Giuseppe Ceruti
Mantova 1856John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Giuseppe Ceruti was the son, pupil, and assistant of Giovanni Battista Ceruti.
- Teaching: He became the teacher of G. Antoniazzi in Mantua.
- Recognition: Giuseppe Ceruti received an Honourable Mention at the Paris Exhibition in 1855 for two violins he submitted.
- Reputation:, he did not achieve the same reputation as his father, Giovanni Battista Ceruti.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
CERUTI, Giuseppe Antonio Born 1785 Sesto Cremonese, died 1860 Mantua Italy. Son, pupil, and assistant of Giovanni Battista Ceruti, above. Worked in similar style to his father, though less productively and with slightly more refined finish, his own label appearing only after Giovanni Battista’s death in 1817. Left Cremona for San Benedetto Po, Mantua c.1850, settling permanently in Mantua itself in 1856. Here he became the teacher of G.Antoniazzi. Two violins submitted to the Paris Exhibition 1855. Received Honourable Mention. Instruments are rare; yellow or deep red-brown varnish and fine modelling. Retained the traditional Cremonese neck, nailed rather than morticed to the upper block. Finely concentric scrolls with light chamfer. Joseph Ceruti filius Joannis Baptistae / Cremonensis fecit anno 18.. Josephus Cerutti filius Joannis Baptistae / Cremonensis fecit anno 18.. Giuseppe Ceruti / fece in Cremona 18.. Giuseppe Ceruti / Mantova 1856
George Hart+
Was a maker and restorer of instruments. He is said to have exhibited, at the Paris and other exhibitions, Violins of good quality. He died at Mantua, in 1860.
Cecie Stainer+
Son and successor of Giovanni Battista, b. about 1787; d. 1860, Mantua. He exhibited violins of good quality at Paris and elsewhere, but he has not the same reputation as his father; he more especially occupied himself with repairing old violins.
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Pupils
Enrico Ceruti Pupil
Carlo Ceruti Pupil
Family
Enrico Ceruti Son
Carlo Ceruti Son