c. 1550 | The first violins were created from the precursor fiddle and rebec instruments, both north and south of the Alps
1562 | Foundation of the first European lute and violin maker’s guild in Füssen (GER).
From the 16th century | Füssen instrument makers left their homeland to settle in other European countries. Especially in Italy, they left their mark on important centres of violin making, e.g. Venice.
1505-1577 | Andrea Amati. Progenitor of a violin-making dynasty in Cremona, he is the maker of the oldest violins that have been passed down to us.
c. 1550 - c. 1750 | The heyday of violin making in Cremona, with the Amati, Guarneri, Ruggieri and Stradivari family dynasties.
1648-1737 | Antonio Stradivari, Cremona. With his life’s work of more than 1,000 instruments (of which about 650 are still preserved), he culminated the golden age of violin making in Cremona.
1618-1683 | Jacobus Stainer, Absam near Innsbruck. He left his mark on violin making until well into the 18th century, especially north of the Alps. His violins were preferred to Italian instruments by many musicians right up to the classical period.
France, c. 1800 | The French Revolution (1789-1799) also marked a turning point in violin making. The needs of a changed musical culture dictated changes and adaptations to the instruments. France supersedes Italy in violin making supremacy.
1798-1875 | J. B. Vuillaume, Mirecourt and Paris. His craftsmanship and entrepreneurial skills, along with his inventive spirit, made him a formative figure in French violin making.
Late 19th century Mirecourt (FRA) and Markneukirchen (GER) | Both in France and the German Vogtland, the industrial mass production of stringed instruments developed. Individual firms produced up to 100,000 instruments per year.
End of the 20th century | Mass production shifts to Eastern Europe and China.
1920 | Foundation of the SVGB (Swiss Association of Violin and Bow Makers).
TODAY | Around 200 violin makers work in about 100 Swiss companies. Their work includes new construction, repairs and restorations, as well as the trade in stringed instruments.