Francesco RUGERI (RUGGIERI)

Was the first of a family of makers in Cremona, very often confused with Rogeri of Brescia. He worked in Cremona at 7, Contrada Coltellai, from about 1645 to 1700. He was one of the celebrated pupils of Nicola Amati, whose pattern he copied, slightly enlarging it, and arching it more. The outline is very graceful, the sound-holes beautifully cut, rather short and open ; the purfling broad ; the varnish varies from a deep orange to a brilliant yellow-orange colour, it is very light and transparent; the wood is generally maple, of tine quality, often beautifully figured ; he sometimes used poplar for the backs of his violoncellos, but always obtained a sonorous and penetrating tone. The violoncellos are often made on too large a pattern ; he made a comparatively small number of violins and violas, but some are exceptionally good, the work beautifully finished, the wood and varnish leaving nothing to be desired ; they greatly resemble the work of Amati and are often sold as such. His instruments deservedly fetch very high prices. Labels: '' Francesco Rugier (or Ruger) detto il Per in Cremona, 1686 " ; similar ones are dated 1645, 1665, and 1697. Rugier or Ruger is the Cremona patois rendering of Ruggeri; the word " Per" is similarly the equivalent of'' Pero.'' '' Francesco Ruggeri detto il Per Cremona, 1671." Three violins are known dated 1684.