Pioneering Luthiers：Unique Violins in the Chimei Collection
As early as the 16th century, the legendary Italian luthier Andrea Amati supposedly made the world's first instruments of the violin family in the present form. Inheriting the traditions of luthiers from Brescia, the three great luthier families from Cremona － Amati, Guarneri and Stradivari － developed the pinnacle of violin sound quality and exquisite instrument designs of an unparalleled craftsmanship. They are the masters of Italy's brilliant luthier epic. Instrument makers across Europe were eager to copy famous luthiers' patterns and their process of making the world's most famous violins, while the master luthiers also tried to outperform themselves by producing better designs. Throughout the continual process of making instruments, many luthiers left behind some pioneering instruments for future generations. Although they may have never surpassed their predecessors, some of them still encapsulated the unique will and determination of their contemporaries, and left behind their singular works as contributions to the rich history of instrument making.
