Notable Sale: A Cello by Matteo Goffriller, the ‘Ex-Meneses’

A Cello by Matteo Goffriller, Venice, 1710, the ‘Ex-Meneses’

This splendid cello is a remarkable example of the craftsmanship of Matteo Goffriller, a luthier from Bressanone who was active in Venice in the late 17th and early 18th century.

This cello was crafted during the most productive period of his career (1690-1715), when Goffriller developed his own personal style and deepened his inspiration in the Amati brothers’ making style, strengthening the links of his work with those of the finest Cremonese Master Makers.

To handcraft his masterpieces, Goffriller shaped elongated upper corners, which made his instruments elegant and dynamic, and used a high-quality varnish including a wide range of colors, from amber yellow to a rich red. The latter later emerged as a defining feature of the Venetian violin-making style, being then named “Venetian red”. 

Matteo Goffriller (1659 – 1742) – Venice, Italy

Considered to be one of the founders of the classical Venetian school. From 1690 to 1715, he was the principal source of new stringed instruments in the city. His making was unique at that time, widely known for its innovation and high quality, which later influenced all Venetian violin makers, including Domenico Montagnana, Santo Serafin, Carlo Tononi and Pietro Guarneri.
He had probably learned the art of violin making before he arrived in Venice, with, apparently, Matthias Albani, around the city where he was born, Bressanone, in the Italian Alps; however, he still entered Venice’s violin making school to strengthen his roots. He collaborated with another violin maker, Mathias Kaiser, who became his father-in-law later in life. In 1690 he inherited Mathias’s workshop, establishing his own in Venice’s center,

In his work, it is possible to notice some Cremonese makers influences, such as the flat arching like Strad and the Amati patterned layout. His instruments feature an expressive force and a great beauty, of which some have even been wrongly attributed to Stradivari in the past. He had a strong influence in the development of the typical deep red varnish, which later became the main characteristic of the venetian style. At that time, Vivaldi was working as a violin teacher in a place where orphan girls were taught music. Vivaldi, was the one responsible for dealing with violin makers to acquire new instruments for the institution. As for that, Vivaldi and Matteo Goffriller not only knew each other but also did business together!

Fine violins, violas and cellos

A fine Goffriller cello was recently sold by Amorim Fine Violins Cremona. Goffriler’s work is known to be very clean and precise and his instruments are sought after by all types of musicians. Amorim Fine Violins Cremona is a respected violin shop that buys, sells, and restores instruments of the violin family.

If you are in search of fine instrument let us provide it to you so you can uniquely express yourself in your entirety. Check out our current options of fine violins, violas and cellos available for sale.

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