Giuseppe Sgarbi (1818–1905): An Independent Voice in 19th-Century Italian Violin Making
Giuseppe Sgarbi (1818–1905), known by the nickname “Jarino,” was an Italian violin maker active in Finale Emilia, Modena, and later Rome. Though trained within the general traditions of the Emilia-Romagna region, Sgarbi followed an independent path, producing instruments that reflected both imagination and individuality rather than strict adherence to classical models. His career spanned the middle decades of the 19th century, during which he earned a reputation for bold design and expressive craftsmanship.
Sgarbi’s violins are recognized for their distinctive character: elongated and slightly irregular soundholes, narrow edges with the purfling set close to the outline, and a transparent reddish-brown varnish of notable warmth and brilliance. His approach to modeling was lean and often unconventional, resulting in instruments that combine rustic charm with a powerful, resonant tone. While his workmanship could appear rough compared to the precision of Cremonese or Milanese contemporaries, his artistic freedom and tonal insight give his work lasting appeal.
In his later years, Sgarbi moved from Finale Emilia to Modena and finally to Rome, where he continued to work until his death in 1905. His son, Antonio Sgarbi, trained under him and carried forward the family’s violin-making tradition into the early 20th century. Today, Giuseppe Sgarbi’s instruments are appreciated for their individuality and as authentic expressions of the 19th-century Emilia-Romagna school.
