Editing Amati (section)

==Extant Amati instruments==

Amati instruments include some of the oldest extant examples of the violin family, dating to as far back as the mid-16th century. {{citation needed span|For reasons of conservation|date=November 2022}}, they are only occasionally played in public.{{why|reason=This holds no water for any Amati violin made after the oldest Stradivarius being played – at least.|date=November 2022}}

===United Kingdom===
Instruments in the UK include Andrea Amati violins from the set delivered to [[Charles IX of France]] in 1564.
* Amati instruments at the [[Ashmolean Museum]], Oxford.[https://web.archive.org/web/20160424053632/http://www.amati.com/magazine/107-instrument-articles/feature/]
* Andrea Amati
** [http://www.ashmoleanprints.com/image/1056126/andrea-amati-violin-charles-ix-1564 Violin, 1564 (ex–French royal collection)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104004832/https://www.ashmoleanprints.com/image/1056126/andrea-amati-violin-charles-ix-1564 |date=4 November 2019 }}
** Viola
* Amati instruments at the [[Royal Academy of Music Museum]], London
* Amati instrument at the [[Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery]], [[Carlisle, Cumbria|Carlisle]]
* Andrea Amati
** [http://www.tulliehouse.co.uk/objects/amati-violin Violin, 1564 (ex French royal collection)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426134001/http://www.tulliehouse.co.uk/objects/amati-violin |date=26 April 2016 }}
* Nicolò Amati
** Double bass of 1631 played by [[Chi-chi Nwanoku]]<ref>{{cite web |title=A Double Bass Disaster! |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/story/a-double-bass-disaster-chineke/WgWhr8Z9b82Hng?hl=en |website=Google Arts and Culture |access-date=19 March 2023}}</ref>

===United States===
*Amati instruments at the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] (New York)
**Andrea Amati:
*** [http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/08/eustn/ho_1999.26.htm Violin, {{circa|1560}}]
** Nicolò Amati:
*** [http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/strd/ho_1974.229.htm Violin, 1669]
<!-- end of MMA section -->
* Amati instruments at the [[National Music Museum]] (University of South Dakota)<!-- the NMM web page lacks a centralized list of Amati instruments in their collection, so they are linked individually -->[http://www.usd.edu/smm/]:
** Andrea Amati:
*** "The King", circa 1545, the world's oldest extant cello
*** Viola, 1560
*** Violin, 1560
*** Violin, 1574
** Girolamo Amati:
*** [[Hieronymus II double bass|Double bass, 1680]]
*** [http://www.usd.edu/smm/Violins/Amati3423/3423AmatiViolin.html Violin, 1604]
*** [http://www.usd.edu/smm/Violins/Amati3364/HAmatiViolin.html Violin, 7/8-size, 1609]
*** [http://www.usd.edu/smm/Violins/AmatiViolinoPiccolo/3361ViolinoPiccolo.html Violino piccolo, 1613]
** Nicolò Amati:
*** [http://www.usd.edu/smm/Violins/AmatiNicolo/3356NAmatiViolin.html Violin, 1628]

===Violas===

====The Stanley Solomon Tenore ca 1536====

Andrea Amati ca 1536

Originally a tenor viola, the front is of pine of slightly wavy grain of medium width. The back is one-piece of maple, slab-cut, slightly flamed but with evident circular decorations. The little scroll is later, but it matches the instrument. The varnish is golden brown.

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 43.2 || 20.6 || 13.7 || 24.5
|}

[http://www.archiviodellaliuteriacremonese.it/en/strumenti/viola-tenore-ridotta.aspx?f=457893 Archivio della Liuteria Cremonese]

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=42943 Tarisio]

====The Witten, The IX Charles, The ex Collis ca 1560====

Andrea Amati ca 1560

This rare viola is one of the best preserved of Andrea Amati's decorated instruments. It features gilt paintings of fleurs-de-lis and trefoils on its back, surrounding the monogram identified by Italian scholar Renato Meucci to be that of Marguerite de Valois-Angoulême. The Latin motto painted in gilt around the monogram, as well as around the ribs, is identical to that found on the Museum's Amati violin made at about the same time and may relate to the court of King Philip II of Spain. The loss of some of the mottoes' text, as well as other decorative elements painted on the back, clearly reveals that this instrument was reduced in both length and width from its original, large tenor dimensions.

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 40.6 || 18.5 || 13.1 || 23.9
|}

[https://finestrings.ca/andrea-amati-ix-charles-viola/ Fine Strings]

[http://collections.nmmusd.org/Violas/Amati3370/3370AmatiViola.html National Music Museum, The University of South Dakota]

[https://national-music-museum.myshopify.com/products/nmm-3370-viola-by-andrea-amati-cremona-ca-1560 National Music Museum, The University of South Dakota]

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=40043 Tarisio]

====From the Charles IX Set ca 1564====

Andrea Amati ca 1564

Large tenor viola with Charles IX decoration. Two-piece back of small-figured maple, bearing the royal insignia and motto. Top of pine of varying grain. Original scroll. Golden-brown varnish. Label not original: "Andrea Amadi in Cremona M. D. L. xxiiij." (1574).

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 46.9 || 22.5 || 15.1 || 26.9
|}

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=40099 Tarisio]

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/cozio-carteggio/andrea-amati-part-2/ Tarisio]

====Held at the Ashmolean Museum Oxford====

Andrea Amati ca 1564

[https://collections.ashmolean.org/collection/search/per_page/25/offset/0/sort_by/relevance/object/90227 Ashmolean Museum Oxford]

====The ex Wahl ca 1568====

Andrea Amati ca 1568

Two-piece back with an ebony inlay of "Chinese-knot" design. Scroll not original. Label not original, dated 1568.

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 42.7 || 21 || 14 || 25.1
|}

[https://stringsmagazine.com/violist-daniel-avshalomov-on-his-1568-amati-that-sends-a-rich-dark-tone-to-the-back-of-the-hall/ Strings Magazine]

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=41183 Tarisio]

====The ex Herrmann ca 1620====

Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1620

Northern Italian viola attributed to Andrea Amati. Made, in our opinion, circa 1620 by a member of the Amati school. The head by another maker. The back is from one piece of slab cut maple with faint irregular flames. The sides are from slab cut maple similar to the back. The scroll is from quarter cut maple with faint narrow flames. The top is from two pieces of spruce with medium and narrow grain. The dimensions are somewhat reduced. The varnish has a golden brown color. Labelled "ANDREAS AMATIUS CREMONA 1567".

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 40.9 || 18.6 || 13.4 || 23.2
|}

[https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4160097 Christie's]

Featured in {{harvnb|Riley|1980}}.

====The Violetta ca 1570====

Andrea Amati ca 1570

Two-piece back. The painted decoration is the coat of arms of the Spanish crown. Top with two small wings in the lower bouts. Scroll not original. Labeled "Niccolaus & Antonius Fratres Amati, Cremonem Fes...1649."

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 39.5 || 19 || 13.3 || 23.4
|}

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=40634 Tarisio]

====The Trampler ca 1580====

Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1580–90

This instrument was cut down in size around 1800 from an original length of about 47&nbsp;cm. The ribs are painted with the inscription: "Non AEtesin Homine sed Virtus Consideramus".

Although the instrument comes with a certificate from Simone F. Sacconi attributing it to the Brothers Amati circa 1620, both Charles Beare and Jacques Francais believe it to be a work of Andrea Amati, possibly completed by the Brothers Amati, in which case its date would be closer to 1580.

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 44.4 || 21.6 || 15.2 || 27.6
|}

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=44668 Tarisio]

Featured in {{harvnb|Riley|1980}}.

====The Henry IV ca 1590====

Girolamo Amati ca 1590

One-piece back, covered with a painting of the armorial bearings of Henry IV supported on each side by an angel. Top of spruce with an open and well-defined grain. Scroll: of faint narrow curl. Ribs of wood similar to back, inscribed in gilt letters "Dvo Proteci Tvnvs". Red-brown varnish.

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 42.2 || 20 || 12.9 || 24.3
|}

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=44670 Tarisio]

Featured in {{harvnb|Riley|1980}}.

====The Crocfisso, The Medecia ca 1594====

Antonio & Girolamo Amati, ca 1594

Commissioned for the Medici family, known as the 'Viola Medicea' or the 'Viola del Crocifisso' after the crucifix decoration on its back.

[https://www.thestrad.com/brothers-amati-viola-is-returned-to-italian-soloist-after-legal-tussle-over-ownership/1231.article The Strad]

====The Stauffer ca 1615====

Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1615

One-piece back of medium curl sloping from left to right. Top of distinct grain, broadening slightly towards the flanks. Scroll of wood similar to back. Ribs of wood similar to back. Golden-brown varnish. Labeled "Antonius & Hieronymus Fr. Amati Cremonen. Andreæ fil. F 1615."

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 41.1 || 19.6 || 12.9 || 24.6
|}

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=42170 Tarisio]

====The Zukerman, The Kashkashian ca 1617====

Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1617

Two-piece back. Dendrochronology report by Peter Ratcliff dates the youngest ring of bass and treble sides as 1613.

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 40.6 || 20.2 || 14.1 || 25.5
|}

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=43485 Tarisio]

====Held by the Cincinnati Art Museum ca 1619====

Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1619

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 41.7 || 19.6 || 13.1 || 24.3
|}

[https://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/art/explore-the-collection?id=11598179 Cincinnati Art Museum]

====The Medici, The Hamma ca 1619====

Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1619

Two-piece back.

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=48779 Tarizio]

====Held by the Royal Academy of Music London ca 1620====

Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1620

One of the few surviving tenors which has not been reduced in size for modern playing. The head is particularly beautiful and well proportioned. The cheeks are flat, in the style of a cello head, although not so wide as to obstruct the player's left hand. The long and elegant pegbox tapers to a wide throat beneath the perfectly carved scroll. The volutes are hollowed and gather depth from the second through to the narrow final turn. The figured quarter-sawn maple used for the back and sides of the instrument is of a type commonly used by the Amatis. The continuous slope of the flame across the centre joint (achieved by reversing one half of the back before jointing), rather than the mirror-image pattern most commonly seen, is also a feature of their work. The front is of straight and even close-grained spruce.

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 45.0 || 21.3 || 14.4 || 26.1
|}

[https://collections.ram.ac.uk/IMU/#/details/ecatalogue/881 Royal Academy of Music London]

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=43027 Tarisio]

====The ex Wittgenstein ca 1620====

Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1620

Two-piece back; the wax seal below the button depicts a woman's head. Top of narrow grain, widening towards the flanks. Scroll of wood similar to back. Ribs of wood similar to back. Golden-brown varnish. Labeled "Antonio & Hieronimus Fr. Amati / Cremonen Andrea F 1620."

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 43.0 || 19.6 || 13.1 || 24.3
|}

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=69403 Tarisio]

[https://ingleshayday.com/notable-sales-instrument/a-viola-by-antonio-girolamo-amati/ Ingles & Hayday]

====Held in the Galleria Estense Modena ca 1625====

Girolamo Amati ca 1625

Labelled "Antonius, & Hieronymus, Fr. Amati Cremonen. Andrae fil. F.1620" (not original).

Back of maple. Top of spruce with a pronounced, rather wide grain. Ribs of the same maple as the back.

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 40.9 || 19.5 || 12.7 || 24.3
|}

The subject of the book [https://www.janroehrmann.de/violin-book-girolamo-amati-viola The Girolamo Amati viola in the Galleria Estense, Treasures of Italian Violin Making Vol I, 2014]

====The ex Vieuxtemps====

Nicolò Amati, date unknown

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=44088 Tarisio]

Nicolo Amati ca 1663

Two-piece spruce top of medium width grain widening to the edges, two-piece back of quarter sawn maple with faint flame of narrow width mostly horizontal, ribs and scroll of similar maple, and varnish of an orange-brown color over a golden ground. There is an original printed label inside the instrument reads "Nicolaus Amatus Cremonen. Hieronymi Fil. ac Antonij Nepos Fecit. 1663"

[https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_833906 National Museum of American History]

====The Berkitz, The Romanov ca 1677====

Nicolò Amati ca 1677

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=49362 Tariso]

[https://www.thestradshop.com/store/thestrad/nicolo-amati-romanov-viola-1677-poster/ The Strad Shop]

[https://www.thestrad.com/for-subscribers/a-massive-achievement-the-1677-romanov-nicol%c3%b2-amati-viola/9676.article The Strad Shop]

====The ex Waters ca 1703====

Nicolò Amati ca 1703

[https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2020/05/21/musical-moment-listen-to-the-tsos-principal-violist-perform-the-prelude-from-js-bachs-cello-suite-no-2-on-his-300-year-old-viola.html Toronto Symphony Orchestra]

[https://atmaclassique.com/en/artiste/teng-li/ Toronto Symphony Orchestra]

====The ex Francais 1708====

Girolamo Amati II ca 1708

Two-piece back of small curl. Top of pine of well-defined and rather open grain. Scroll of less pronounced curl. Ribs of less pronounced curl. Golden-brown varnish. Labeled "Hieronymus Amatus Cremonen Nicolai figlius fecit 1708."

{| class="wikitable" style="Margin:auto"
|+ Measurements (cm)
! Length of back !! Upper Bout !! Middle Bouts !! Lower Bouts
|-
| 43.9 || 21.9 || 13.8 || 25.7
|}

[https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=44226 Tarisio]

====Other Amati violas in the Tarisio archive====

* [https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=40101 Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1592]
* [https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=40070 Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1607]
* [https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=45396 Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1611]
* [https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=1106 Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1616]
* [https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=49068 Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1619]
* [https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=48291 Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1619]
* [https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=42132 Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1619]
* [https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=43027 Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1620]
* [https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=40871 Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1620]
* [https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/property/?ID=43353 Antonio & Girolamo Amati ca 1628]