Stefano Scarampella / Gaetano Gadda violin, 1904, Mantua, ITALY, excellent condition, ex-Mischa Mischakoff, with Kenneth Warren & Sons, Ltd certificate

The back is formed of two pieces of maple, mostly plain selection with very faint, broad figure running across its breadth. The ribs are of faint, narrow flamed maple; the scroll of plain selection with irregular, faint narrow flames. The top is of spruce, two pieces, mostly wide grain throughout though varied. The varnish is red-orange color over a gold ground.

Length: 14"

Upper bout: 6 5/8"

Middle : 4 9/16"

Lower bout : 8 3/16"

Comes with a certificate by Kenneth Warren & Sons, Ltd

Younger brother of Giuseppe Scarampella, Stefano Scarampella was born in Brescia in 1843 and later worked in Mantua. A carpenter by trade, he only took up violin making seriously around 1890, and his fully mature body of work dates from about 1902 to 1915. In 1919, he began to teach Gaetno Gadda, who was his only true student and supported his teacher financially in his final years. Scarampella's violins, like Giuseppe's, are usually built on Guarneri models, but he also followed Stradivari and Balestieri from time to time. Overall his approach shows irreverent spontaneity and creativity, and most instruments possess a powerful, attractive sound, making them of great interest to players. The quality of craftsmanship and materials varies considerably, but can be quite fine. Both Stefano and his brother were quite prolific, though numerous examples attributed to them bear false labels.