This article is part of the Fiddle & Violin series. |
| Basic physics of the violin |
| Fiddlers |
| History of the violin |
| Luthiers |
| Musical styles |
| Making and maintenance |
| Playing the violin |
| Violin construction |
| Violin family of instruments |
| Violinists |
Giovanni Paolo Maggini (c. 1580 - c. 1630), was a string maker born in Botticino (Brescia), Italy. Maggini was a pupil of the most important violin maker of the Brescian school, Gasparo da Salò.
In spite of the wrong XIX century italian storigraphy, Maggini's early surely genuine instruments are now considered very desirable because, over their apparent naive craftsmanship are wonderful instruments. They first tended to be modified copies of his teacher's instruments. But once established on his own around the year 1606, Maggini developed his skills and experimented with his designs until he achieved a level of expertise that is still highly regarded.[1] His violas, like these of his master, are regarded as the best in the world for the rich deep sound and power of tone.
The only known pupil of Maggini is Valentino Siani, who worked with him c.1610-1620, before he moved to Florence and started his own business.
Maggini succumbed to the bubonic plague of 1630-31 that also took another important early luthier, Girolamo Amati. This fact arouses suspicions that some of Maggini's later works are perhaps creations from a different maker since tests reveal that some instruments bearing a genuine Maggini label are from trees living after Maggini's death.[2]
The National Music Museum has two Maggini instruments in its collection. One is a bass viola da gamba. The other is a violin. Both predate his death.[3]
A genuine Maggini violin ranges in value from $200,000 to $2,000,000.[4]