A cello by
Giovanni Grancino

At the end of the 17th century the demand for stringed instruments in Northern Italy was at its peak. Giovanni Grancino no doubt envisaged a secure business for the foreseeable future. His thriving workshop provided instruments for a less affluent clientele than his Cremonese contemporaries, and work for several pupils who were to shape and influence generations of violin making in Milan. They included his son Giovanni Battista, Carlo Giuseppe Testore, the Pasta family and the Lavazza brothers.

This bold cello is quite typical of Giovanni’s work. The choice of plain maple for the back and ribs was purely for tonal considerations. However, the spruce of the top is of excellent quality both visually and tonally. Its powerful look reflects the tonal character of the cello and certainly contributes to the qualities sought after by all cellists. This is a solo instrument with a powerful a-string and a rich bass with clarity. The cello is illustrated in the Sotheby’s publication "Four Centuries of Violin Making".