Analysis of Fine Antique Instruments: The Amorim Lab

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Revealing the Secrets: Our Diagnostic Techniques

At The Amorim Lab, we dedicate our expertise to the meticulous analysis of fine antique instruments, using advanced diagnostic tools and scientific approaches to reveal their hidden stories, origins, and conditions. Every examination is guided by our commitment to preserving and understanding these masterpieces, and we employ a range of specialised techniques to achieve this:

Dendrochronology:

By examining the tree-ring patterns in an instrument’s wood, we can often precisely determine the wood’s age and origin. This method helps verify whether an instrument could have been made in a specific period, adding vital information to its attribution and historical context. Also, the cross matches with other known instruments at large databases, can provide insights to specific schools and workshops that shared wood of same local source.

UV Light Fluorescence:

Ultraviolet (UV) light reveals restorations, varnish layers, and surface repairs that are often invisible under normal lighting. Through UV fluorescence, we can detect subtle differences in varnish composition, application techniques, and past interventions, enhancing our understanding of the instrument’s authenticity and condition. On top of that, we can manage to compare the fluorescence of the original varnish remaining in instruments in order to understand its characteristics and possible common origin.

Infrared (IR) Scans:

IR scanning enables us to peer beneath the varnish layers, exposing details such as internal construction, wood grain orientation, and even the signature tool marks of the original maker. This insight is particularly valuable in attributing instruments to specific schools or makers, as each has distinct structural characteristics that define its work. The IR scans reveal hidden damages such as wood knots or open seams and woodworm damage.

X-rays:

X-ray imaging allows us to examine the instrument’s internal structure without interference, capturing details about the wood density, repairs, and previous reinforcements. By viewing these internal features, we gain insights into the maker’s methods and can assess the integrity of the instrument’s body, pinpointing any past repairs or concealed damage. It also allows us to understand the extension of the remaining original work of the maker, specifically by seeing the construction approach at the instrument’s corners and inside work with non-invasive approach.

At The Amorim Lab, each instrument receives an individualized assessment, combining these diagnostic tools to provide a comprehensive picture of its authenticity, history, and condition. This rigorous process supports informed decisions for both preservation and appreciation, helping collectors, musicians, and restorers connect more deeply with their instruments.

We’re proud to share these insights and contribute to the legacy of fine instrument making. Whether you’re an owner, collector, or simply an enthusiast, The Amorim Lab offers a trusted resource for understanding and preserving the art of these remarkable instruments.

The Workshop

Amorim Fine Violins is a violin, viola, and cello workshop based in Cremona. Our mission is to provide musicians with instruments so they can uniquely express themselves. We are a family business, just like the workshops of Stradivari and Guarneri. Founded in 2001 by the renowned violin maker Luiz Amorim and his wife, Betina Schreiner. We bring our fine arts experience into the violin-making field. .

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