Guarneri is the family name of a group of distinguished violin makers (luthiers) from Cremona in Italy in the 17th and 18th centuries, whose standing is considered comparable to those of the Amati and Stradivari families.
Andrea Guarneri (c. 1626 - December 7, 1698) was an apprentice in the workshop of Nicolo Amati from 1641 to 1646 and returned to make violins for Amati from 1650 to 1654. His early instruments are generally based on the “Grand Amati” pattern but struggled to achieve the sophistication of Amati’s own instruments. Andrea Guarneri produced some fine violas, one of which was played by William Primrose. Two of Andrea’s sons continued the father’s traditions: Pietro Giovanni Guarneri (February 18, 1655 - March 26, 1720), known as Peter of Mantua (Pietro da Mantova) to distinguish him from his nephew Pietro Guarneri. He worked in his father’s workshop from around 1670 until his marriage in 1677. He was established in Mantua by 1683, where he worked both as a musician and a violin maker. His instruments are generally finer than his father’s, but are rare owing to his double profession. Joseph Szigeti played one of his instruments.
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