The original instrument is in private ownership. It has been adapted to modern playing practices, though the neck and components such as the fingerboard, tailpiece, and pegs have been lost. As is common practice in such modifications, the bass bar inside the body was removed and replaced with a stronger one.
Santo Serafino belongs to a generation of violin makers who, while still influenced by immigrant masters from southern Germany such as Martinus Kaiser and Matteo Goffriller, forged their own path in terms of the aesthetic and tonal style of their work. The curves of the sides became flatter and less pronounced, giving the instruments a more powerful sound and a richer overtone structure.
The instrument mentioned here is a prime example of Santo Serafino’s exceptionally fine craftsmanship. This also applies to the selection of wood. The missing parts have been replaced based on an original instrument preserved by Giorgio Serafino, Santo Serafino’s nephew and colleague.