Dom Nicolo Amati, Bologna, 1733 – 3/4 size violin

The violins of Dom Nicolo Amati are well known to violinists and connoisseurs, but until recently, the maker’s real name was unknown. We now know that Nicolo Marchioni took the initial D, for “Dom,” when he became ordained as a priest. He also adopted the name “Amati,” presumably for marketing purposes, even though he had no connection to the famous family from Cremona.

This violin, although smaller in size, will give its lucky young owner an early taste of an ample, full sound usually found only in full-sized instruments.