Dorigo Spilman

SPILMAN, Dorigo Cello in the Kunsthistorische Museum, Vienna (ex Catajo collection in Padua). Unauthenticated instrument with manuscript label. Vannes speculates that his surname is a transliteration of ‘Spielman’ (‘musician’), and that he was active in Padua, and possibly Venice, making pochettes, none of which have survived. No known documentary support. Dorigo Spilman

There is a viol of his in the Modena Museum in Vienna; it looks like the work of a Venetian, and probably dates back to the 16th century. The sound-holes are similar to those of V. Linarolo, the scroll looks as if it had been added at a later date. ” Dorigo Spilman ” is written inside, but no date.

In einer Laute des Museums Modena in Wien, die der Arbeit Linarolo’s gleicht, findet sich die Inschrift: »Dorigo Spilman« (ohne Datum). Dorigo ist jedenfalls der Name und Spilman die Bezeichnung des Standes (»Spielmann- Musiker«). Ein Dorigo wäre also als der Eigenthümer der Laute und freilich vielleicht auch als ihr Verfertiger anzusehen.

Padua. 1591. Very little remains of his works, e. g., a ‘cello of fine wood and with brown varnish.