Stefano Scarampella violin in collaboration with Gaetano Gadda, Mantua circa 1920

Italian violin made, in our opinion, by Stefano Scarampella with the assistance of Gaetano Gadda in Mantua circa 1920

The younger of the acclaimed Scarampella brothers of Brescia, Italy, Stefano Scarampella (1843-1925) studied violin making with his father Paolo (1803-1870) and his brother Giuseppe (1832-1902), before moving to Mantua in 1886. Considered among the finest early 20th century Italian makers, the brothers were widely copied by other makers-numerous instruments attributed to them bear false labels with the famous Scarampella name. In 1918, requiring assistance due to his arthritis, Stefano engaged Gaetano Gadda (1900-1956) as an apprentice, and collaborated with him on many instruments, including, in our opinion, the violin offered here. Stefano Scarampella's instruments, distinguished by their particularly lustrous reddish varnish, are very highly sought after by professional players and collectors.