In the last decade of the 17th century, Stradivari developed a group of instruments that came to be known by the term ‘Long Pattern’ because of their elongated appearance. This effect, which is especially apparent between the f-holes, was the result of the Cremonese master’s decision to narrow the body of the instrument rather than increase its length. The violin expert Florian Leonhard states: ‘I believe Stradivari took inspiration from the Brescian school of makers, particularly from Giovanni Paolo Maggini and Gaspar da Salo.’ The ‘Salomon’ violin is an example of the Long Pattern, and still bears an original label that reads: ‘Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno 1695’, although the Strad magazine recorded the date as 1693. The violin is named after the Dutch violinist Herman Salomon.
More information: Antonio Stradivari Set 1, Volume 1, Page 286