Antonio Stradivari, his life and work (1644-1737) . ordered a violoncello and twoviolins, which were sent as a present to theDuke of Natalona in Spain, and adds that theCardinal, besides paying liberally for the work,expressed his appreciation by conferring uponStradivari a title of appointment. Again,under date 1689, he tells us that Stradivariwas requested by the Duke of Modena tomake a violoncello and deliver it in person to him. TheDuke not only expressed the pleasure it gave him to makehis personal acquaintance and highly praised his work, but marked his gratification bymaking him a prese
Antonio Stradivari, his life and work (1644-1737) . ordered a violoncello and twoviolins, which were sent as a present to theDuke of Natalona in Spain, and adds that theCardinal, besides paying liberally for the work,expressed his appreciation by conferring uponStradivari a title of appointment. Again,under date 1689, he tells us that Stradivariwas requested by the Duke of Modena tomake a violoncello and deliver it in person to him. TheDuke not only expressed the pleasure it gave him to makehis personal acquaintance and highly praised his work, but marked his gratification bymaking him a present of thirtypistoles in addition to payingthe price agreed upon. Thirtypistoles was approximately equalto £2/\, and, as we have alreadyseen, its purchasing power thenwas equal to three times that ofto-day. The present thus repre-sented £J2—under the circum-stances a princely gift. Now,although these references Figs. 63-65.—Designs for the Arms of Stradivaris various Patrons, INTENDED MOST PROBABLY FOR InLAYING ON FlNGER-BOARD OR A FRUITLESS SEARCH 261 .fford us no information of a precise nature, they yet offeraluable evidence in support of our firm belief that Stradivari)btained for the majority of his instruments more than the>rdinary prices given to his working colleagues. He mustlave received good remuneration, otherwise it is impossibleo think that he would have so unremittingly maintainedhat high standard of excellence, carried, as we have elsc-jvhere shown, into the smallest details. We believe thatkradivari varied his prices according to as now, no doubt, violin-makers had to meet thevishes of their customers; hence his use at times of plainermd less costly material. Fetis states, on the authority of Laioussaie, the violinist (born 1735, died 1813), who visited remona not many years after Stradivaris death, that the )rice fixed by the master for a violin was four louis dor ; dso that in Cremona he bore the reputation of being a D
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