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Nicolò Bergonzi Violin maker

(1754 – 1832) Grandson of Carlo Bergonzi and older brother of Carlo Antonio, Nicola Bergonzi began making instruments around 1777 and

was a close contemporary of Lorenzo Storioni, who preceded him into the trade of violin making by only a few years. The

two men were neighbors on the Contrada Coltellai in Cremona from 1787 to 1794. Like Storioni, Bergonzi did not always

choose the best materials, and he was far less prolific, abandoning violin making officially in 1804. Nonetheless his

instruments are well-constructed, possessing relatively flat archings and sometimes a lovely orange varnish, and seek to

approximate to the splendor of his grandfather's work.

Michele Angelo Bergonzi Violin maker

(1721 – 1758)

Son of Cremonese contemporary of Stradivari Carlo Bergonzi, Michele Angelo remained in the Casa

Stradivari after his father's death in 1747. By that point he represented the whole of the Cremonese violin

making tradition, the Stradivari and Guarneri families having faded from the scene in the 1740s. While he

was a successful follower of his father's models, the details of craftsmanship are less precise, and the

legendary Stradivari varnish is not present in his work, perhaps due to inexpertise or difference in taste.

His instruments are nevertheless highly valued for their powerful tone. Cellos are built on the smallest

Stradivari pattern.

Carlo & Michele Angelo Bergonzi Violin maker

(fl. 1740 – 1747)

Carlo II Antonio Lorenzo Bergonzi Violin maker

(1757 – 1836)

It has been suggested that Carlo Antonio Lorenzo Bergonzi, the last and least-known violin maker of his

family, was a teacher of Giovanni Battista Ceruti in the 1790s, but direct evidence of this relationship is

lacking. His earliest known instrument dates from 1780, and he officially inherited the family business in

1804, though he made guitars for much of his career. Carlo's violins and violas, which are extremely rare,

are reminiscent of his brother Nicola's work, especially the varnish, although they are more idiosyncratic

in character. Corners are abbreviated in length but pointed, waists are narrow, and scrolls are less deeply

carved.

Zosimo Bergonzi Violin maker

(1724 – 1779)

It is only recently that any evidence has been uncovered to suggest that Zosimo Bergonzi made violins.

Usually he has been viewed as an important linking figure in the Cremonese tradition between his father

Carlo and sons Nicola and Carlo II. In any case, any bowed string instruments that could be attributed to

him would likely be of an amateur nature. The only existing example definitely by him is a child's violin

from 1775, which shows a good choice of materials and ample skill.

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Nicolò Bergonzi

Cello 1790

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Cello 1790

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Viola 1780

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Viola 1781

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Viola 1781

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Viola 1796 'Amadeus Quartett'

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Violin 1740-50 “Morono”

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Violin 1750- 'Hamma, Segelmann'

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Violin 1765

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Violin 1765-97

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Violin 1765-97

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Violin 1765-97-“Mambrinyi”

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Violin 1766

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Violin 1768

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Violin 1778

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Violin 1780

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Violin 1780

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Violin 1780

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Violin 1780

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Violin 1780

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Violin 1780

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Violin 1785

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Violin 1789

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Violin 1790

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Violin 1796

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Violin 1796

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Violin 1796

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Violin no date

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Violin 1800

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Violin 1800

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Violin no date

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Bass- 1777

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Bass- 1780

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Bass no date

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Michele Angelo Bergonzi

Violin 1739-76

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Violin 1739-76

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Violin 1739-76

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Violin 1739-76 “Hamma”

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Violin 1739-76 “Moeller”

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Violin 1740

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Violin 1740

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Violin 1744

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Violin 1744

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Violin 1747

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Violin 1747-55 “Withers – Beare”

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Violin 1748

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Violin 1748

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Violin 1749

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Violin 1750

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Violin 1750

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Violin 1750

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Violin 1750

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Violin 1750 “Hamma – Segelmann”

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Violin 1753

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Violin 1753

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Violin 1755

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Violin 1756

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Violin 1756

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Violin 1757

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Violin 1757

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Violin 1757

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Violin 1757 “Lamoureux”

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Violin 1757 “Posner”

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Violin 1764 “Mintz”

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Violin no-date “Hamma”

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Violin-piccolo 1755

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cello-1743-'Claus-Adam'

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Cello 1743-48 “Claus Adam”

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Bass 1750

Bass 1776

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Carlo & Michele Angelo Bergonzi

Violin 1735

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Violin 1743 'Narishkine, Antoncich'

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Violin no date

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Mandolin 1756

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Carlo II Antonio Lorenzo Bergonzi

Viola 1795

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Viola 1798

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Violin 1750

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Violin – 1780

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Violino piccolo 1790

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Violin - 1796 'Driggs'

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Violin 1800

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Zosimo Bergonzi

1775-small ¾ size-violin

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Violin no date