Dictionary of Makers

Farotti (originally Farotto; his name changed to Farotti thanks to a clerical error) was born in 1864 in the small farming community of Olivola Monferrato.He became interested in violin making around 1895 at the age of 31. After some amateur experimentation, he was encouraged to move to Milan. He soon became successful as a restorer, dealer and maker, and by 1906 he asked his brother Salvatore to join him in the shop to assist with roughing out his instruments. After WWI, Celeste's nephew Celestino and Alfred Lanini joined the brothers in the workshop, which became quite prolific.

His preferred models were Rocca, Pressenda, and a personal interpretation of the two, but he also made exquisite copies of instruments by numerous other makers, few of which bear his label. Materials are good and vary in age, especially those used for his copies. His personal work features low archings and elongated scrolls, and the varnish is often either a golden-yellow or vivid red