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Mantua School

Camillus Camilli

Mantua, c.1704–1754

Camillus Camilli (circa 1704-1754) was a refined and prolific Mantuan luthier who worked from approximately 1739 to 1750. He is known for following the Stradivari pattern, using high-quality wood, and applying a distinctive clear orange-red varnish. His craftsmanship includes wide, short sound-holes and neatly wrought heads, adhering to Cremonese construction principles. While his training is debated, possibly under Stradivari or influenced by Pietro Guarneri and Antonio Zanotti, his style effectively blends Amati and Guarneri characteristics.

Worked Mantua
Made Violin
Violin by Camillus Camilli, Mantua, circa 1750
Violin by Camillus Camilli. Sold by Amati — from the archive.

Instruments

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£156,000
Type Details Sold Price
Violin Labelled Camillus Camilli fecit Mantua 1740 November 2023 £85,672
Violin Labelled Camillus Camilli Fecit Mantuae 1745 October 2023 £156,000
Violin 35.6 cm Mantua, 1750 c. March 2011 £108,000
Violin 35.2 cm Mantua, 1736 November 2008 £59,871
Violin 35.3 cm Mantua, 1750 c. May 2008 £30,108
Violin 35.4 cm [Attributed to] March 2008 £9,600
Violin 35.0 cm Mantua, 1750 c. October 2007 £68,538
Violin 35.3 cm Mantua [Attributed to] February 2007 £8,400
Violin 35.5 cm Mantua, 1739 May 2006 £91,975
Violin Mantua, 1739 November 2005 £84,000
Violin 1750 c. July 2003 £62,400
Violin 1740 June 2002 £81,260
Violin 1760 c. November 2001 £19,309
Violin 1723 May 2000 £34,334
Violin 1745 March 2000 £23,000
Violin 1739 November 1998 £80,500
Violin 1747 November 1997 £36,700
Violin 1740 c. October 1997 £24,150
Violin 1751 March 1996 £58,700
Violin 1749 May 1994 £69,742
Violin 1742 June 1990 £44,000
Violin 1745 c. November 1986 £28,600
Violin 1742 December 1984 £29,580
Violin 1730 March 1981 £18,343
Violin 1736 March 1980 £4,180

Maker Overview

Life

Camillus Camilli (circa 1704-1754) worked in Mantua, Italy, from about 1739-50, and was born circa 1704, dying in 1754. He is described by John Dilworth as a very refined and prolific maker.

Characteristics

Pattern
He followed the Stradivari pattern, and his form partakes of that of Stradivari.
Wood
He used carefully selected wood, usually of excellent quality.
Varnish
His instruments have a beautiful tone and are varnished pale red, somewhat similar to Landolfi's instruments, though George Hart notes it is less brilliant. John Dilworth describes his distinctive varnish as a clear orange-red, slightly chippier and harder than Cremonese finishes.
Sound-holes
The sound-holes are wide and short, and, not generally fluted.
Head
He produced a very neatly wrought head, which is a consistently charming aspect of his work.
Construction
His work conforms with Cremonese construction principles.
Backs
He often used quite plain backs in one piece.
Recorded labels
  • Camillo de Camilli
    Fece in Mantova, 1734John Dilworth
  • Camillus Camilli
    Fecit Mantuae.1739John Dilworth

Influence and legacy

  • Training: Sources contain conflicting information about his training., he is considered a pupil of Stradivari, whom he skillfully imitated. However, John Dilworth states that he acquired a Cremonese technique from Pietro Guarneri, and possibly another contemporary Mantuan maker, Antonio Zanotti, who may have been a pupil of Girolamo Amati II.
  • Style: His work is an attractive combination of Amati and Guarneri styles.
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Biographies

The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

John Dilworth+

CAMILLI, Camillus Born circa. 1704, died 1754 Mantua Italy. A very refined and prolific maker. Acquired a Cremonese technique from Pietro Guarneri, and possibly another contemporary Mantuan maker, Antonio Zanotti, who may have been a pupil of Girolamo Amati II. His work is an attractive combination of Amati and Guarneri styles with a very neatly wrought head; a consistently charming aspect of his work. His distinctive varnish is a clear orange-red, slightly chippier and harder than Cremonese finishes. Often used quite plain backs in one piece. Soundholes not generally fluted, but otherwise conforms with Cremonese construction principles. Camillo de Camilli / Fece in Mantova, 1734 Camillus Camilli / Fecit Mantuae.1739

George Hart+

The form partakes of that of Stradivari; wood usually of excellent quality. The sound-hole is rather wide and short. The varnish resembles that of Landolfi, but less brilliant.

Cecie Stainer+

(Camilus di Camila). Worked in Mantua about 1739-50. He followed the Stradivari pattern, and used carefully selected wood; his violins have a beautiful tone, and are varnished pale red, somewhat similar to Landolfi’s instruments; the sound-holes are wide and short.
a similar label is dated 1750.

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Er gilt als ein Schüler von Stradivari, den er geschickt nachahmte. Seine
Instrumente kommen jetzt immer mehr in Aufnahme. Schöner Ton, gutes Holz, hellrother Lack, der an Landolfi erinnert, weite, kurze F-Löcher kennzeichnen
seine Geigen. Er verwendete verschiedene Zettel.

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