Giuseppe Castagnino violin, 1918, Chiavari, with Juris Brensson certificate | Metzler Violins

[more details about this instrument are forthcoming]

About the Instrument
An apricot varnish was applied over a wheat ground, bringing out a gorgeous, bold flame figure falling from the center joint of its two-piece maple back. This instrument is sold with a Juris Brensson certificate of authentication. 

Interior label reads: “Giuseppe Castagnino 1918”
Length: 358 mm
Upper Bouts: 170 mm
Middle: 116 mm
Lower Bouts: 209 mm

About the Maker
Giuseppe Castagnino (1886-1966) was a Genoan luthier born in the town of Cogorno, Italy. Castagnino learned the logistics of violin making from his father, a carpenter and cooper by trade who built violins as a hobby. Primarily self-taught and working in Chiavari, in 1906, at the age of twenty, Castagnino stunned the luthier world when he won a gold medal for a violin at the Milan Exhibition. In 1913, he very briefly worked in Giuseppe Fiorini’s workshop in Munich. After his short stint in Germany, Castagnino returned to his Chiavari atelier, the shop out of which he worked the rest of his life—save for during World War II, when he decamped to the rural town of Val Gravellia. While there, the luthier focused his energy on building rifle butts. Eventually, Castagnino’s son Roberto joined Castagnino’s shop, taking on the lion’s share of the work. Nevertheless, Castagnino continued crafting instruments until his death.

Throughout his working life, Castagnino was at the vanguard of instrument making, leaving a notable impact on the Genoese school, which is known for its distinctive styles and exquisite tones in its pieces. All his instruments were based on del Gesù and Stravdivari models, particularly the former, though his varnishes became more refined over time. Castagnino’s most-prized instruments are those made after 1916, which consistently carry an excellent timbre and were applied with supple varnishes. His artistry earned him gold medals for his instruments in Milan and Turin, and he exhibited in Cremona and Venice. His gorgeous instruments are still sought today worldwide by musicians and collectors alike for their history and quality.