Dictionary of Makers

There is little biographical information available on Giovanni Tononi other than his birthplace, Bologna, and the fact that his father, Gaspare, was a case maker. Giovanni used excellent wood and was an exceptional craftsman, employing the widespread Amati models of the period and an outstanding orange-red varnish. Giovanni's sons Carlo Annibale and Felice both assisted him in the family workshop; it is possible that his eldest son, Antonio Maria, also learnt the trade, as some have reported seeing labels of an Antonio Tononi.