Ferrara School
Alessandro Mezzadri
Ferrara, worked 1690–1734
Musician and violin maker. Very stylish and individual, loosely modelled on the Amati, although variable. Generally of medium arch. Workmanship not highly finished or accurate but with great charm. Finely rounded volute with small eye, but hastily cut. Varnish richly textured and deeply coloured gol\u{2026} — John Dilworth
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.5 cm [Attributed to] | December 2011 | £1,920 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Ferrara, 1730 c. | March 2008 | £38,025 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Ferrara, early 18th C. | October 2007 | £65,682 |
| Violin | 1701 | October 2003 | £30,533 |
| Violin | 1701 | May 2003 | £43,200 |
| Viola | 40.6 cm 1715 | June 1990 | £14,300 |
| Violin | 1700 c. | June 1983 | £5,500 |
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
MEZZADRI, Alessandro Worked circa. 1690-1734 Ferrara Italy. Musician and violin maker. Very stylish and individual, loosely modelled on the Amati, although variable. Generally of medium arch. Workmanship not highly finished or accurate but with great charm. Finely rounded volute with small eye, but hastily cut. Varnish richly textured and deeply coloured golden to rich orange-brown but of thin consistency. Alessandro Mezzadri / Fece in Ferrara l’anno / 1700
George Hart+
The pattern is inelegant, and the sound-holes too close.
Cecie Stainer+
A maker in Ferrara, 1690-1720. He followed the principles of the Amati school, but the pattern of his instruments is not graceful, the sound-holes are placed too close, and the workmanship is poor.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Seine Geigen gehen zwar auf Nicolas Amati zurück, sind aber unschön in
der Form, die F-Löcher allzu nahe beisammen. Der Lack ist röthlichgelb oder
braunroth und nicht schlecht. Der Name kommt in allen möglichen Verdrehungen
vor, muss aber nach seinem Zettel richtig Mezzadri heissen.
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Working in Ferrara at the same time
Imbero Domincelli worked 1693–1715