gorgeous, distinct, versatile

About the Instrument
This violin has a beautiful tonal quality that includes resonant warmth as well as sweet clarity. Its versatility, responsiveness, dynamism makes it an excellent solo instrument. Its single back piece has variable flames that point to the upper left bout. The flames run strongly along the ribs, neck, and scroll. The instrument’s varnish is a lovely brown, its ground with a slightly greenish cast. The back button bears his brand, which reads “A. Contino Napoli.” The interior of the top plate includes an inscription of a jettatura or “evil eye” to ward off bad luck. The jettatura bears a pyramid with an eye in the center and “P. F. T” at its points. Below the pyramid reads: “Alfred Contino Napoli 1925.” (An example from another Contino instrument is included in the photographs.) This violin is excellent condition. 

Interior contains two labels. One reads: “Alredus Contino / Premiento al Concorso di Liuteria in ROMA / unico allievo di V. POSTIGLIONE / — Fecit Napoli anno 1925” with his signature. The second is handwritten and reads: “Per ordine del Signore / Riccardo [illegible] Morisetti”
Length: 355mm
Upper Bouts: 164mm
Middle: 110mm
Lower Bouts: 204mm

About the Maker
Alfredo Contino (1890-1963) was born in Naples and, at twelve, worked under Vincenzo Postiglione, one of the leading Italian luthiers of the 19th century. Contino succeeded Postiglione in taking over the workshop. He known for his remarkably accurate copies of Gagliano family instruments, though others are based on Stradivari and Guarneri models. His earlier works, such as this one, are known as his finest. In 1932, Contino earned a gold medal at Padua. Some of his later instruments have ground varnish treated with potassium bichromate, giving them a distinctive “olive oil” or greenish hue that references earlier Neapolitan luthiers’ aesthetics. Contino often branded his back button or lower rib with “A. Contino Napoli.” Perhaps most compellingly, Contino drew a Southern Italian mark of the jettatura in his instruments. The jettatura is the power of the evil eye, captured in a symbol to ward off bad luck for its bearer. Contino inscribed the evil eye on the interior front plate of his violins near the upper shoulder—a location nearly impossible to see.