A micro-sample detached from a historical bowed string instrument represents a valuable record that allows researchers to collect a wealth of information concerning the materials used by the great Masters of violin-making art and to disclose-at least partiallytheir procedures for finishing and varnishing. In the present work, a set of four cross-sectioned micro-samplescollected from well-preserved bowed string instruments made by Antonio Stradivari and Lorenzo Storioni-are investigated by Synchrotron Radiation (SR) FTIR micro-spectroscopy in reflection mode. SR-FTIR spectra are considered both as point analysis and as univariate and multivariate chemical maps. Moreover, data obtained by a non-invasive approach with a portable reflection FTIR spectrometer and SEM-EDX data on the same cross-sections are also considered. FTIR investigation of the cross-sections is a challenging task for such brittle and complex layered micro-samples. Nevertheless, the high intensity of the analytical SR beam used in reflection geometry allowed us to obtain informative FTIR spectra and to fully preserve the integrity of the samples. Both the non-invasive and the micro-invasive reflection FTIR approaches can reveal the materials spread on the wood surface to finish the musical instruments. The fingerprint of Lorenzo Storioni in his production around 1790 is highlighted in the cross sectioned samples, definitely different from the technique of Stradivari.

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