Large pattern, (left), and small pattern,
(right), violins.
Tenor viola
When Andrea Amati made violins in the 16th century he made violins as matched sets, or consorts of instruments. The most famous of these is a set of instruments he made during the 1560's and 1570's for the court of Charles IV in France. His mother, Catherine de Medici, loved to dance and imported the instruments and musicians from her Italian homeland for the "ballets" and other dances at the French court. The violin as a consort instrument was used through out Europe during the 16th and early 17th centuries for dance music and polyphonic compositions.
I have spent years collecting measurements and information about the extant instruments from this great maker and I am pleased to offer instruments modeled on his work.
The original instruments on which mine are modeled are:
Small pattern violin
Violin D.8:2, c. 1564 now in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford England
Large pattern violin
Violin 3366. Before 1577 now in the Shrine to Music Museum in Vermilion, South Dakota USA
Tenor Viola
Viola D.8:1, c. 1574 now in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford England
Bass Violin (Violincello)
Cello 3351, c.1560 - 74 now in the Shrine to Music Museum in Vermilion, South Dakota USA
The instruments are made with fine materials with careful attention to detail. The varnish is made from amber resin according to a 16th century formula.
Instruments are available with 16th c. style fittings and setup; or early baroque setup, or late baroque setup.
Prices:
- Small violin - $6,500.00
- Large violin - $6,500.00
- Viola - $7,750.0
- Bass violin - $11,500.00
A set of these instruments can be heard on recording by The King's Noyse.
Some of these include:
"The King's Delight" 17c ballads for voice and violin band, #HMU 907101
"Canzonetta" 16c canzoni & instrumental dances, #HMU 907120
"Mascharada" Music at the Bucheburg Court of Ernst III #HMU 907165