Violin Maker
Primo Contavalli

Maker Background

Primo Contavalli was taught the craft of woodworking by his father Luigi, a well-established woodworker in Imola, Italy, who made pieces of furniture and, rarely, stringed-instruments.
Primo started working at a very young age, as he was not keen on studying at school. Working alongside his father, he developed an interest in violin making and decided to deepen his knowledge in this regard.

While working in his father's workshop, Primo Contavalli started crafting good quality instruments, focusing his production on violins, violas and cellos. He was deeply influenced by the legacy of the renowned Cremonese luthier Antonio Stradivari and also the Bolognese School of Artistic Violin Making, a tradition that thrived until the 18th century and was revived in the mid-19th century by Raffaele Fiorini and his disciples—including his son Giuseppe, Augusto and Gaetano Pollastri, Armando Monterumici, Ansaldo Poggi, and Otello Bignami.

When his father retired, Primo took over the family workshop, leading to a rapid expansion, focusing primarily on the production of violins, violas, and cellos made in the antique style. He gained recognition early in his career for his meticulous craftsmanship and his dedication to the craft earned him several accolades, including a silver medal at the Santa Cecilia competition in Rome in 1920.

Contavalli primarily based his instruments on Stradivari and Guarneri models, using wood of exceptional quality and his instruments are still admired for their rich, resonant sound.