
10-1988 Maccaferri Plastic Violin, Serial Number E54
Produced: October 1988 Serial Number: E55 Comments: An early/experimental version of Mario Maccaferri’s plastic violin. Hand assembled. Included in the Guitar Heroes exhibit at The
Guitar Heroes: Legendary Craftsmen from Italy to New York
The Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, NY
February 9–July 4, 2011
DESCRIPTION:
New York City and nearby New Jersey, Long Island, and Westchester County have been home to a vibrant Italian American population since the late nineteenth century. Within this community, a remarkable tradition of lutherie (stringed-instrument making) has flourished. Italian American craftsmen have produced an enormous variety of musical instruments, from traditional European-style violins, mandolins, and guitars to newer American instruments such as archtop guitars and mandolins and even electric guitars. Since the 1930s, makers from this tradition in the New York region have become especially well known for their extraordinary archtop guitars. This exhibition examines the work of three remarkable craftsmen from this heritage—John D’Angelico, James D’Aquisto, and John Monteleone—their place in the extended context of Italian and Italian American instrument making, and the inspiration of the sights and sounds of New York City.
Download the pdf catalog here:
John Monteleone talks about Mario Maccaferri:
https://blog.metmuseum.org/guitarheroes/interview-transcripts/#monteleone7
Produced: October 1988 Serial Number: E55 Comments: An early/experimental version of Mario Maccaferri’s plastic violin. Hand assembled. Included in the Guitar Heroes exhibit at The
Produced: 1982-1983 Serial Number: 3 Comments: Marked with a #3 in white pencil inside of the body. This guitar was included in the Guitar Heroes Exhibit
Produced: 1965 Serial Number: N/A Comments: Part of the Guitar Heroes Exhibit at the Met. This plastic body flat top G30 guitar was built with
Mario Maccaferri (American, b. Italy, 1900–1993), designer; Henri Selmer Paris, makerGuitar, Jazz model (serial number 565), 1942Spruce, rosewood; 7 3/4 x 24 5/8 in. (19.7
Luigi Mozzani (Italian, 1869–1943)Chitarra-Lyra, or Harp Guitar, ca. 1915Maple, spruce, ebony; 17 1/2 x 33 in. (44.5 x 83.8 cm)The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New
Mario Maccaferri (American, b. Italy, 1900–1993)Guitar, G-40 model, ca. 1953Plastic; 7 3/4 x 24 5/8 in. (19.7 x 62.5 cm)Private Collection Maccaferri moved to the