2 mins
RAFFO CIPRIANI
A close look at the work of great and unusual makers
Raffo Cipriani was born in 1829 in Chiavari, a town on the Ligurian coast around 25 miles east of Genoa. Like many Italian violin makers of that era, he began his career as a carpenter. In 1852 one of his English-style chestnut tables was exhibited, and won high praise from the president of Chiavari’s chamber of commerce. He received several awards during his lifetime for the high quality of his craftsmanship.
Cipriani also became well known for his musical instruments, and was mentioned in a number of publications around 1900. His work was considered highly accurate and beautiful, as well as somewhat massive. Nothing is known about his apprenticeship, but his working style is based on that of the contemporary Genoese masters with whose work he would have been well acquainted.
Cipriani’s business was based in the Via Vittorio Emanuele in Chiavari, where it was described in the 1892 Annuario d’Italia, Calendario generale del Regno as a shop for jewellery and haberdashery. He died there in 1904 at the age of 75.
INSTRUMENT
Very few instruments by Cipriani are known. The c.1900 violin shown here has no label and has been certified by Eric Blot as the work of Cipriani.
MATERIALS
The top is made from two pieces of spruce with medium to narrow grain. It is fairly regular, widening slightly towards the sides. The maple back, also of two pieces, has a light flame of medium width, rising slightly from the centre joint to the sides. The head is made from the same maple as the back, while the ribs are of more strongly flamed maple.
FORM AND CONSTRUCTION
Certain construction details indicate that the violin was built on an external mould. The interior linings, made from willow, are positioned over the cornerblocks. The f-holes are long and wide, with a slight angle. In general the craftsmanship, such as edgework, f-hole position, internal work, scroll design and the choice of model all suggest that Cipriani was inspired by the Genoese masters of his time, such as Erminio Montefiori, Eugenio Praga and Cesare Candi. There are several points of interest attesting to Cipriani’s individuality: the corners are carved precisely and rounded off flush with the C-bout edges; the top of the pegbox interior shows a slight dip, while the chamfers stop slightly before the top; and in particular the inner edges of the back and top are somewhat offset.
PURFLING
The ‘black’ purfling strips are made from ebony, while the ‘white’ is of maple. The strips are accurately brought together in the middle of the corners.
VARNISH
The orange–red varnish has very fine craquelure, set on a golden ground.
TRANSLATION BY CHRISTIAN LLOYD
ALL PHOTOS CLAUDIA CASAGRANDA