Gaetano Gadda

Name: Gaetano Gadda auction price records, Amati Instrument Archive
Creator: Amati

Mantua, 1900–1956

Gaetano Gadda (1900-1956) was a significant 20th-century Italian violin maker, born in Sorga, Verona, and active in Mantua. He was a pupil and successor to S. Scarampella, known for his prolific output and use of various models including Scarampella's, Stradivari, Guarneri, Amati, and Balestrieri for cellos, often finished with a distinctive golden-orange or red clear varnish.

Worked Mantua

Made Cello, Cello Bow, Viola, Violin

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£35,559

TypeDecade of saleAttributionCurrency

56 results

Type	Details	Auction house	Sold	Price
Violin	Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, premiato con Medaglia d'Oro, Allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 125	Tarisio	March 2025	£27,342est. $ 30,000-50,000
Violin	Labelled Stefano Scarampella di Brescia, Premiato con Medaglie d'Argento, Fratello ed Allievo del ... Lot 166	Tarisio	October 2024	£29,594est. € 30.000-50.000
Violin	Labelled Stefano Scarampella di Brescia, Premiato con medaglie d'argento, Fratello ed allievo del ... Lot 89	Tarisio	October 2024	£22,800est. £ 18,000-25,000
Violin	Labelled Stefano Scarampella di Brescia premiato con medaglie d'argento fratello ed allievo del ... Lot 141	Tarisio	May 2024	£22,239est. $ 30,000-50,000
Violin	35.7 cm Probably "Gadda" workshop	—	November 2011	£24,434
Cello	S/E 75.6 g. Mid 20th C.	—	March 2011	£20,400
Violin	35.8 cm 1930 c. Ascribed to & possibly by	—	October 2010	£9,013
Violin	35.7 cm Mantova, 1927	—	October 2009	£21,600
Violin	35.7 cm Mantua, 1930 c.	—	October 2009	£12,000
Violin	35.8 cm Mantua, 1930 c.	—	May 2009	£19,410
Violin	35.7 cm Mantova, 1928 c.	—	April 2009	£35,559
Violin	35.6 cm Ascribed to	—	March 2009	£10,530
Violin	35.7 cm Mantua, 1951	—	October 2008	£21,692
Violin	35.7 cm Mantua, mid-20th C. Probably by	—	March 2008	£10,625
Violin	35.6 cm Mantua, mid-20th C. Probably by	—	March 2008	£11,250
Violin	35.7 cm Mantua Workshop of	—	July 2007	£3,925
Violin	35.7 cm 1920 c.	—	November 2006	£20,496
Violin	35.7 cm 1935 c. Attributed to	—	October 2006	£11,034
Cello Bow	74.8 cm Mantura, mid-20th C.	—	July 2006	£7,200
Violin	35.6 cm Mantua, mid-20th C.	—	July 2006	£4,560
Violin	35.6 cm Mantua, 1925 c.	—	May 2006	£19,928
Cello	Mantua, 1934	—	November 2005	£7,895
Cello	Mantua, 1935	—	November 2005	£7,895
Violin	Mantua, 1940 c.	—	November 2005	£6,316
Cello	Mantua, 1934	—	May 2005	£14,531
Violin	Mantua, 1951	—	May 2005	£11,705
Violin	Mantua, 1958	—	May 2005	£8,073
Violin	Mantua, 1950 c.	—	May 2005	£7,937
Viola	41.9 cm Mantua, 1941	—	April 2005	£11,279
Violin	Mantua, 1930 c.	—	April 2005	£25,064
Cello	Mantua, 1932	—	May 2004	£25,861
Violin	Mantua, c. 1960 Workshop	—	March 2004	£4,560
Violin	1932	—	May 2003	£14,720
Viola	1919	—	March 2003	£13,200
Violin	1945	—	June 2002	£18,872
Violin	1950	—	June 2002	£18,117
Violin	1925	—	November 2001	£11,750
Violin	1935 c.	—	May 1999	£6,684
Cello	1963	—	June 1998	£14,530
Violin	1932	—	March 1997	£9,200
Violin	1918	—	March 1996	£12,650
Viola	43.2 cm 1926	—	March 1995	£9,200
Violin	19--	—	June 1990	£6,600
Viola	40.8 cm 1953	—	March 1990	£2,970
Violin	1948	—	November 1989	£5,500
Violin	1948	—	March 1989	£1,760
Violin	1943	—	November 1988	£3,850
Violin	1925	—	June 1988	£6,600
Violin	1935	—	March 1988	£4,620
Violin	1920	—	March 1988	£3,740
Violin	1943	—	November 1987	£4,620
Violin	1938	—	November 1985	£5,060
Violin	1930-40	—	December 1984	£4,622
Violin	1940	—	October 1984	£4,224
Violin	1930	—	January 1984	£1,833
Violin	1946	—	June 1983	£3,214

Maker Overview

Life

Gaetano Gadda (1900-1956) was born in 1900 in Sorga, Verona, and passed away in 1956 in Mantua, Italy. He began as a pupil and assistant to S. Scarampella in Mantua from 1919, eventually becoming his successor following Scarampella's death in 1925. Gadda is recognized as an important and influential maker within the 20th-century Italian school, known for his prolific production.

Characteristics

Patterns and Models: Gaetano Gadda frequently worked on Scarampella's patterns, with some instruments even being relabeled and sold as genuine Scarampellas. He also utilized Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati models, and specifically the Balestrieri model for his cellos.
Varnish: His instruments are characterized by a fine golden-orange or red clear varnish.
Branding: Some of Gadda's instruments were branded on the back button with the initials 'GG'.
Label Inscription: An example of his label reads: "Gaetano Gadda di Mantova / premiato con Medaglia d'Oro / Allievo di Stefano Scarampella / Fece in Mantova. anno 1925".

Recorded labels

Gaetano Gadda di Mantova
premiato con Medaglia d’Oro
Allievo di Stefano Scarampella
Fece in Mantova. anno 1925John Dilworth

Influence and legacy

Mentorship: Gaetano Gadda received his training and mentorship as a pupil and assistant to S. Scarampella in Mantua, beginning in 1919.

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Biographies

The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

John Dilworth+

GADDA, Gaetano Born 1900 Sorga, Verona, died 1956 Mantua Italy. Pupil and assistant of S. Scarampella in Mantua from 1919, his successor following his death in 1925. Important and influential maker of the 20th century Italian school. Prolific production, working on Scarampella’s patterns (these often relabelled and sold as genuine Scarampellas). Also used Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati models. Balestrieri model for cellos. Fine golden-orange or red clear varnish. Some branded on back button ‘GG’. Gaetano Gadda di Mantova / premiato con Medaglia d’Oro / Allievo di Stefano Scarampella / Fece in Mantova. anno 1925

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