Crespano School
Antonio Pedrinelli
Crespano, 1781–1854
Antonio Pedrinelli (1781-1854) was a prolific Italian luthier from Crespano, who transitioned from carpentry to master violin making. He thoroughly studied and emulated old masters such as Stradivari, Maggini, and Guarnerius del Gesu. His craftsmanship varied in material quality, from beech to finely figured maple, and was noted for its red to orange-brown varnish. Pedrinelli produced a range of instruments including violins, cellos, and double basses, and was awarded a gold medal in Venice in 1854.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.7 cm 19th C. [Attributed to] [Lit: The Cooper Collection] | March 2008 | £7,250 |
| Violin | 1852 | October 2002 | £16,689 |
| Violin | 1838 | June 1984 | £3,056 |
Maker Overview
Life
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.
Characteristics
- 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., 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.
- Ad imitazione Giuseppe
Guarnerius del Gesu
No. 18 Antonio Pedrinelli
fe in Crespano 1844John Dilworth - No 43
Antonio Pedrinelli
fe. in Crespano 1853John Dilworth - Antonio Pedrinelli
ad imiationem Stradivari
fecit in Crespano Anno 1840John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Study: He studied the old masters very thoroughly.
- Inspiration: He worked after the styles of Stradivari, Maggini, and others.
- Awards: He was awarded a gold medal in Venice in 1854.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
PEDRINELLI, Antonio Born 1781, died 1854 Crespano Italy. Prolific maker. Models and copies of many classical Italian makers. Produced work in various grades, with varying levels of finish and materials. Some work has poor beech used for the backs and broad grained coarse pine for the fronts. Others of finely figured maple and good straight grained spruce. Red to orange-brown varnish, of good texture and consistency. Often left a gap in the purfling beneath the button on the back in order to maintain strength in the area of the neck foot. Scrolls generally rather weak. Fine cellos and double basses. Gold medal awarded in Venice 1854. Ad imitazione Giuseppe / Guarnerius del Gesu / No. 18 Antonio Pedrinelli / fe in Crespano 1844 No 43 / Antonio Pedrinelli / fe. in Crespano 1853 Antonio Pedrinelli / ad imiationem Stradivari / fecit in Crespano Anno 1840
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Er war ursprünglich Tischler, und zwar Sargmacher, und ging erst später
zur Geigenmacherei über, in der er es zu bemerkenswerther Meisterschaft
brachte. Er studirte die alten Meister sehr eingehend und erwarb sich schätzenswerthe
Kenntnisse in der Lehre der Akustik, was seinen Arbeiten sehr zu
Statten kam. Er arbeitete nach Stradivari, Maggini u. A. und verstand sich
trefflich auf die Wahl des Holzes. Zum Boden nahm er gerne das Buchenholz
von alten Rudern, die er im Arsenal zu Venedig kaufte. Sein Lack ist
beinahe orangeroth. Er verwendete verschiedene Zettel und machte alle Arten
von Geigen.
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