| Press Contact: | David Bonsey, Director | Catherine Riedel, Director |
| Musical Instruments | Marketing & Public Relations | |
| Skinner, Inc | Skinner, Inc | |
|
978-779-6241 x224 |
978-779-6241 x231 |
SKINNER AUCTION OF FINE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
TO FEATURE MAGGINI VIOLA
BOSTON, Mass. - September 24, 2004 – www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation's leading auction houses, will host its annual autumn auction of fine musical instruments in Boston on Sunday, October 17th, at 12 noon. The sale will present an extraordinary and diverse selection of both stringed and fretted instruments, as well as bows by a variety of well-known makers.
Stringed Instruments and Bows
Highlighting the offerings of stringed instruments is a fine and rare contralto viola by Giovanni Paolo Maggini (lot 67), made circa 1600, and formerly a concert instrument of Lillian Fuchs, one of America's most beloved and respected performers and teachers of the viola. Its top and back feature the flat and broad arch of the early Brescian masters that is still revered for the dark, forceful projection of sound that it produces.
"The eminent violinist Joseph Fuchs found this viola at Hill's in London in 1960, and immediately urged his sister to Lillian to buy it," remarks department director, David Bonsey. "This is an early example of Maggini's, made soon after his tenure with Gasparo da Salo, the one of the originators of the modern violin. Its state of conservation is remarkable and it is a first-rate concert soloist's instrument."
The viola is in very fine condition, with few discernable repairs. Much of the varnish is in a pure state, with a slight crackled texture in the surface. Its body size had been slightly reduced (probably circa 1900) to an ideal size of 16 3/16" with some replacement edgework on the lower bouts. It will be sold with the certificate of W.E. Hill & Sons, dated March 10, 1960, and an insurance appraisal from the late Jaques Français. The auction estimate is $500/700,000.
Two Italian violins from the Classical era will be offered, as well: an instrument by Tomasso Balestrieri of Mantua dated 1759, estimated at $100/120,000 (lot 92), and a violin by Antonio and Heronymus Amati of Cremona (lot 71), circa 1630, with extensive restoration, estimated at $10/15,000. Both provide attractive opportunities to prospective bidders who can own a fine restored violin for a fraction of the usual cost.
Also featured is an exceptional selection of twentieth century Italian instruments, including a violin from 1912 by Riccardo Antoniazzi (lot 91, $18/24,000), and two violins by Marino Capicchioni of Rimini: an early example from 1938 (lot 60, $18/24,000), and one from 1958 (lot 37, $12/18,000). Other noteworthy examples include a very fine violin in the style of Guadagnini by Hannibal Fagnola of Turin dated 1929 (lot 69, $50/70,000), a violin from circa 1920 attributed to Parma master Gaetano Sgarabotto (lot 70, $18/24,000), and a 1967 violin of Ansaldo Poggi of Bologna (lot 338, $25/35,000). Two violins from the Milan workshop of Bisiach also will be offered: one a special instrument built for the Grand Bicentenary Exhibition 1937 in Cremona dedicated to Stradivari (lot 59, $25/35,000), and another from circa 1900 in the style of Pietro Guarneri (lot 42, $12/16,000).
Fine bows for stringed instruments include examples by Sartory, Maline, Ouchard, J. A. Vigneron, James Tubbs, John Dodd, Fetique, Pajeot, Knopf, Lamy, and several by W.E. Hill & Sons.
Fretted Instruments
Skinner continues a tradition of excellent offerings of fretted instruments with perhaps the finest of all Gibson F-5 Mandolins ever presented in its gallery. This example from 1923 (lot 29), signed and tested by Lloyd Loar on February 26, was the personal instrument of a professional mandolinist and Gibson agent who used it until his passing in 1928. It has since been kept undisturbed by his family until now. Made with a select highly flamed maple back and in near-mint condition, it carries an auction estimate of $80/100,000. Also featured are several fine guitars by Martin, Gibson, and D'Angelico, and the personal instrument collection of Dennis E. Hartnett, originator of the Hartnett System of musical instruction, which includes Gibson and Vivi Tone mandolins, guitars, and banjos.
Catalogue and Preview Information
Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. Friday, October 15th, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, October 16th, and 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday, October 17th. Illustrated catalog #2253 is available by mail for $29 ($35 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $26. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. For more information, call 978-779-6241, or visit www.skinnerinc.com.
Note to Editors: Photos available upon request. Contact Catherine Riedel at 978-779-6241 x 231.
About Skinner:With galleries in Boston and Bolton, Mass., Skinner is a full-service auctioneer and appraiser of antiques and fine art. Regularly seen on the PBS series, Antiques Roadshow, Skinner is one of the nation’s leading auction houses. Skinner conducts auctions year-round and has received world-record prices for many pieces sold at auction. Departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographica, and Discovery. For more information on upcoming auctions, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.