ing original Amati labels of this make,
made, doubtless, when he was in the shop of Amati.

ROGERI, Pietro Giacomo, Brescia, describes himself on his label as a
pupil of Niccolo Amati. Lancetti refers to a Violoncello by Pietro
Rogeri as having belonged to Count Cozio, and remarks that he was a
"nearly unknown member of the Rogeri family." The date of the
instrument is given as 1714. He cannot now be looked upon as almost
unknown, since Signor Piatti played for many years upon a famous
Violoncello of his make. The pattern is a little narrower than that of
G. B. Rogeri. Varnish of beautiful quality; sound-hole resembles that
of Francesco Ruggeri.

RUGGERI, Francesco, Cremona, 1668-1720.

Francesco Ruggeri detto
il Per Cremona 16--

Surnamed "Il Per." The family of Ruggeri long occupied a foremost
place in the city of Cremona as makers of Violins, Tenors, and
Violoncellos. Their position must have been but little inferior to
that of the Amati family. Francesco, in his earliest works, gives
evidence of exceptional artistic feeling, and the sequel of his
career, as evidenced by his productions, is a genuine development of
the first impulses of his genius. His work belongs to the school of
Amati, but though the list of instruments which he has bequeathed to
us be a long one, there is no sign of his ever having been a mere
copyist. He evidently thought for himself. His sound-hole is a
beautiful piece of workmanship, and may be said to come between that
of Niccolo Amati and Stradivari, being of the most delicate execution.
The outline of his work is very graceful, and the arching admirable.
The scroll has quite an equal merit with the body. He was very
successful in selecting his material, much of which is handsome. His
varnish, thoroughly Cremonese in character, and of a most beautiful
hue, may be equalled, but never surpassed. This maker also knew how to
use his varnish. There is no instance in which it has been laid on in
clumsy patches; the surface is always true and even, and, in
consequence, the brilliancy of its appearance is perfect. Lancetti
remarks, "Francesco Ruggeri was a pupil of Niccolo Amati, and perhaps
a more exact imitator of his instruments than G. B. Rogeri, and made
several instruments, beautifully finished, and which are not easily
distinguished from those of his master." Count Cozio possessed a fine
Violin by Francesco, dated 1684, and the Marquis Castiglioni also
possessed one made in the