Nicolo Amati Model Violin by A Monzino and Figli Milano made in Italy around 1920

Antonio Monzino (1730 – 1800) is a string instrument maker in Milan, Italy. He founded his first workshop in 1750 in Milan, via Rastrelli 10. He started by selling harmonic strings, scores, and musical accessories together with his son Giacomo (1772 – 1854). A couple of years later, “Premiata Fabbrica di strumenti musicali A. Monzino & Figli”, a new firm started to appear, supplying important musicians like Niccolò Paganini a violinist-guitarist. Another famous lutist and luthier, Severino Riva joined Monzino’s team from 1847 to 1929. 

Nicola Amati was a master luthier born on September 3, 1596, in Cremona Italy. He came from a family of luthiers but was considered the famous luthier in their clan. Amati taught in the illustrious Cremonese School luthiers in whom Andrea Guarneri and Giovanni Battista Rogeri became his students. It was also said that he mentored Jacob Stainer, Francesco Rugeri, and Antonio Stradivari.