Jacopo Filippo Cordanus
Genoa, worked 1720–1779
Jacopo Filippo Cordanus was a luthier active in Genoa, Italy, from approximately 1720 to 1779. His work, described as rugged yet skilled, often followed a Genoese style with Cremonese influences, featuring a good Amatisé outline and a flat model. He used a distinctive brownish-red or pinkish-toned varnish and is known for producing violins and "usefully sized cellos." His labels typically read "Jacobus Philippus Cordanus / fecit Genuae. Anno fal.17.."
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
6 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.5 cm Genoa, 1770 c. (scroll possibly later) | — | October 2010 | £13,386 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Genoa, 1770 c. | — | October 2009 | £14,981 |
| Violin | 36.5 cm 1719 | — | November 2008 | £26,400 |
| Violin | 1725 | — | May 2003 | £17,625 |
| Violin | 1760 c. | — | November 1998 | £14,950 |
| Violin | 1694 | — | November 1980 | £990 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Jacopo Filippo Cordanus (circa 1720-1779) worked in Genoa, Italy. in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, he was active during this period. George Hart, in The Violin, and Cecie Stainer, in A Dictionary of Violin Makers, both note his activity around 1774 in Genoa. His instruments bear the label "Jacobus Philippus Cordanus / fecit Genuae. Anno fal.17.."
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- John Dilworth describes his work as "quite rugged" and typical of the Genoese style.
- Design
- His instruments feature a good Amatisé outline, with both flat and rounded archings. He used a flat model in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart.
- Features
- Dilworth notes broadly spaced soundholes, an awkwardly proportioned head, and a large volute topping a very slender-necked pegbox.
- Materials
- He often used meagre materials and generally plain backs.
- Varnish
- Cordanus employed a good varnish, sometimes with a pinkish tone, and occasionally deep orange-brown. Lütgendorff specifies a brownish-red varnish.
- Instruments
- He produced violins and "usefully sized cellos."
- Jacobus Philippus Cordanus
fecit Genuae. Anno fal.17..John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Stylistic Influence: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that his violins reveal a skilled hand and are based on Cremonese models.
- Potential Connections: Lütgendorff raises the question of whether Cordanus is connected to the Giordano family, but leaves the matter open.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
CORDANUS, Jacopo Filippo Worked circa. 1720-1779 Genoa Italy. Quite rugged work in typical Genoese style. Good Amatisé outline. Both flat and rounded archings. Broadly spaced soundholes and awkwardly proportioned head. Large volute topping a very slender necked pegbox. Meagre materials and generally plain backs. Good varnish, sometimes with a pinkish tone, occasionally deep orange-brown. Usefully sized cellos. Jacobus Philippus Cordanus / fecit Genuae. Anno fal.17..
George Hart+
Jacobus Philipus Cordanus, fecit Genuse anno sal, 1774
Cecie Stainer+
Worked in Genoa about 1774.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Seine Geigen verrathen eine geschickte Hand und gehen auf Cremoneser Vorbilder zurück. Er verwendete ein flaches Modell und braunrothen Lack. Ob er mit der Familie Giordano in Verbindung zu bringen ist, muss ich dahingestellt sein lassen.
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