Dictionary of Makers

Felix Mori Costa's instruments are distinctive in their model and choice ofwood. The very individualf holes of the violins dated circa 1800 and circa 1810 are typical of his work - onef hole is often set a little higher than the other, in the manner of a late Stradivari, and they tend to lean slightly outwards, with the inner nicks cut only half- way through the front. The wood ofhis backs is often quite plain or only lightly figured, as in these two examples, but his varnish can be of a very high quality.

 

The lack of original labels in all three instruments featured here explains why Mori Costa remains a relatively un- known maker. When not following his own model, his primary influence was G.B. Guadagnini, as can be seen in the circa 1820 violin on pp. 156-157, made only 50 years after Guadagnini himself left Parma.