AMATI, the name of a family of Italian violin-makers, who
flourished at Cremona from about 1550 to 1692. According
to Fetis, Andrea and Nicolo Amati, two brothers, were the
first Italians who made violins. They were succeeded by
Antonio and Geronimo, sons of Nicolo. Another Nicolo, son
of Geronimo, was born on the 3rd of September 1596 and died
on the 12th of August 1684. He was the most eminent of the
family. He improved the model adopted by the rest of the
Amatis and produced instruments capable of yielding greater
power of tone. His pattern was usually small, but he also
made the so-called "Grand Amatis." Of his pupils the
most famous were Andrea Enamieri and Antonio Stradivari.
Initial text from 1911 encyclopedia -- Please update as needed