Fine Italian Violin, Nicolaus Gagliano, Naples, 1720, with Certificate (Lot 33, Estimate $120,000- $140,000)
BOSTON, MA – November 4, 2013 – Skinner, Inc., the only auction house hosting in-person sales of exceptional, high-quality instruments, announces its fall auction of Fine Musical Instruments on November 24, highlighted by the offering of a fine Pressenda violin. More than 300 lots will be featured, including stringed instruments from famed makers such as Gagliano, Rocca, Bisiach, Gadda, and Lucci, as well as a selection of fine bows. The auction also presents an exemplary Benedetto Guitar, a collection of flutes, and an 1803 Erard harp sold by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston to benefit the collection.
The November 24th auction will mark Horst Kloss’ first as Specialist in Skinner’s Fine Musical Instruments Department. Klos
s, appointed in August, brings decades of experience to Skinner and has cared for noteworthy collections, including that of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. “We’re extremely pleased to have Horst on board,” said Jill Arbetter, Director pro tem, “together we’ve put together a strong auction with some really fine offerings.”
Violins, Violas, Cellos & Bows
The auction’s top lot is anextremely rare and wonderfully preserved Joannes Franciscus Pressenda violin,c.1822 (Lot 30, estimated between $170,000 and $190,000). Pressenda, arguably one of the most important Italian violin maker of the 19th century, modeled his instruments closely on Stradivari, but introduced personal touches, such as his own interpretation of the corners, edges, f-holes, and scroll. The instrument has a beautiful, even sound and its layers of varnish range from a golden yellow to a rich, fiery red-brown.
Another highlight is an exceptional Italian violoncello from 1860 by Pressenda’s student, Joseph Rocca, (Lot No. 36, $140,000 to $160,000). A fine example of Rocca’s work, the instrument has a rich, transparent ruby red-brown varnish. It also possesses a remarkably clear and penetrating tone quality, giving it desirable qualities as a solo instrument.
Skinner is also pleased to offer a fine Italian violin by Nicolaus Gagliano, 1720 (Lot 33, $120,000 to $140,000). The Gagliano family, synonymous with violin-making and their native Naples, began crafting violins as far back as 1640, continuing to the early 20th century. Horst Kloss describes the instrument offered on November 24 as a “player’s dream: elegant, light and perfectly balanced.” The Gagliano comes from the estate of Ruth Curwen, an avid amateur violinist who was given the instrument by her teacher, and had long associations with organizations such as Greenwood Music Camp, the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, the Concord (MA) Orchestra, and many others. Proceeds from the sale of this instrument will go to benefit a Boston-area string training program.
Among the 20th century bowed instruments to be auctioned is a Modern Italian Violin by Romeo Antoniazzi, Cremona, 1922, (Lot 25, $30,000 to $40,000), as well as a Modern Italian Viola by Genuzio Carletti, c. 1952 (Lot 37, $4,000 to $6,000).
Skinner is pleased to offer a very large selection of bows, as well, including a Silver-mounted Violin Bow stamped J. Tubbs , (Lot 43, $7,500 to $9,000), and a Silver-mounted Lamy Cello Bow, (Lot 55, $5,000 to $7,000).
Kloss noted, “In my opinion, instruments are never really ‘owned’ and this is especially so for the really fine instruments that grace the world, a few examples of which we are honored to be offering on November 24th. Everyone who touches one of these instruments – player, dealer, repair person, auction house – is a custodian of the instrument and plays an important role in its future condition. Skinner is proud to help continue this tradition.”
American Guitar, Benedetto, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, 1999, Model Manhattan (Lot 17, Estimate $12,000- $15,000)
Guitars
A spectacular selection of guitars at auction on November 24 is highlighted by a 1999 Benedetto Manhattan Model Arch Top Guitar (Lot 17, $12,000 to $15,000). This outstanding offering was once the pride and joy of Charles H. Chapman (1950–2011), New Jersey native and world-class musician, recording artist, and a 31-year faculty member of the Berklee College of Music. Chapman wrote nine books on guitar technique, repertoire, and improvisation and, as a music journalist, he interviewed many of the world’s best-known guitar players
Woodwinds
The November 24 auction will feature 30 lots of flutes, among them a beautiful Gold Flute by Brannen-Cooper of Boston (Lot 169, $8,000 to $10,000). The flutes are part of a collection that belonged to the late Barbara Trauffer (1934-2011), who played flute and piccolo with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra from 1965 to 1993 and was a member of the faculty of the Alabama School for Fine Arts for thirteen years.
An exceptional 1961 French Tenor Saxophone (Lot 141, $7,000 to $9,000) by Henri Selmer, will also be offered, an extremely desirable instrument in pristine condition.
Harp
Featured in the auction is a single, remarkably beautiful French Concert Harp, by Erard Freres, 1803 (Lot 142, $2,000 to $2,500). Sold by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to benefit the collection, this harp is, according to Horst Kloss, “a perfect specimen.”
Previews, Catalog and Bidding
Previews for the auction will be held on Friday, November 22 from noon to 7 PM, Saturday, November 23 from 10:30 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday, November 24, from 9 AM to 10 AM. Illustrated Catalog #2688B is available from the Subscription Department, at 508-970-3240, or from the Gallery. Prices realized will be available online at www.skinnerinc.com, both during and after the sale. The Skinner website enables users to view every lot in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogs and bid live, in real-time, through SkinnerLive!
About the Skinner Fine Musical Instruments Department
The Skinner Fine Musical Instruments department deals in fine and high-quality bowed and fretted stringed instruments, primarily through public auction and also through private sale. Skinner auctions of Fine Musical Instruments, held twice annually in the spring and fall, routinely realize highly competitive prices. The department sold a fine and important Stradivarius violin, circa 1721, for $1.4 million, and a 1958 Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar for $611,000 – a world record at auction. Skinner has recently added a timed, online-only sale of instruments for students, restoration, and the trade. For questions, contact the department at 508-970-3135 or music@skinnerinc.com.
About Skinner
Skinner auctions draw international interest from buyers and consignors alike, with material regularly achieving record prices. The company’s auction and appraisal services focus on fine art, jewelry, furniture, and decorative arts from around the globe, as well as wine, important musical instruments, rare books, clocks, Judaica, and more. Monthly Skinner Discovery
auctions feature a breadth of estate material. Widely regarded as one of the most trusted names
in the business, Skinner appraisers have appeared on the PBS-TV series Antiques Roadshow since the show’s inception. Skinner has galleries in Boston and Marlborough, Massachusetts,
with an international audience of bidders participating in person, by phone, and online through
the SkinnerLive! online bidding platform. For more information and to read our blog, visit the Skinner website at www.skinnerinc.com, find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/skinnerauctions, or follow us on Twitter @Skinnerinc.
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Contacts
Jill Arbetter
Director Pro Tem, Fine Musical Instruments
508-970-3135
music@skinnerinc.com
Kate de Bethune
Director of Marketing
press@skinnerinc.com