With a deep amber-brown varnish, this was for many years the principal performing instrument of cellist Antonio Meneses
One of the most active foundations supporting the arts in Canada, Canimex has been loaning fine instruments to players for more than two decades. The Strad Calendar 2026 showcases twelve of these treasures, including five by Antonio Stradivari, two by Guarneri ‘del Gesù’, two by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini and – a first for the Calendar – a modern octobass.
1710 ‘Meneses’ Matteo Gofriller cello
The 1710 ‘Meneses’ cello by Matteo Gofriller is named after the late Brazilian cellist Antonio Meneses, who used it as his principal performing instrument for many years. It is one of two Gofriller cellos in the collection, the other dating from 1700. Both were crafted during Gofriller’s most productive period (1690–1715), when he developed his own personal style.
This cello has been slightly reduced from its original dimensions, so the back now measures 755mm, but the lower bouts are fairly wide at 444mm. The front is made of four pieces of spruce of medium to broad grain, while the back is made from a single piece of willow. The ribs are of beech wood and the scroll is of lightly flamed maple, and appears to have been made by a different Venetian maker of the 18th century. The varnish is of a deep amber brown, laid over a lighter ground.
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Photos: Canimex
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Read: From the Archive: a Matteo Gofriller cello, Venice 1700
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