Violin by Pietro Antonio Landolfi, Milan, circa 1770 with table by the Grancino brothers, Milan, circa 1685
About the Grancino brothers and Pietro Antonio Landolfi
Francesco and Giovanni Grancino, often referred to as the Grancino brothers, ran the earliest and most important violin making workshop in Milan. Their work is rare and the partnership between the brothers appears only have lasted for part of their careers. Giovanni went on to make instruments on his own, passing on his skills to his son Giovanni Battista. This father and son partnership produced a significant number of instruments and the workshop became the dominant enterprise in Milan.
Pietro Antonio Landolfi studied violin making under his father Carlo Ferdinando, the key figure in Milanese making after the end of the Testore and Grancino dynasties. Alongside Pietro Giovanni Mantegazza, Pietro Antonio assisted his father for around a quarter of a century. The convention that instruments were labelled for the owner of the workshop means that instruments attributable to only Pietro Antonio are more rare than those by his father.
About the violin
This Milanese violin is a composite instrument: the front was made by the Grancino brothers in Milan circa 1685 and the rest of the instrument was made by Pietro Antonio Landolfi in the same city circa 1770.
The violin has a two piece back of quarter-sawn, medium-flamed maple with ribs and scroll to match. The front is two pieces of medium-grained spruce which widens towards the flanks. The varnish is orange-brown in colour.
The violin has a length of back of 352mm.
How does it sound?
This is an incredibly exciting violin! It feels as though it's vibrating before you even touch it: adding the bow to the string seems to release instantly the waiting sound. The projection is incredible and violin is unbelievably responsive, however the tone remains warm and very nuanced. This violin will make a phenomenal musical partner.
Condition
The violin is in a good state of preservation and a full condition report is available on request.
Certification
The violin comes with the certificate of Florian Leonhard.
Further information
Please get in touch for more details about this composite Milanese violin by Pietro Antonio Landolfi with table by the Grancino brothers for sale and a member of our team will get back to you.