Giovanni Tononi
Highest auction price
£157,381
Auction price history
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cello | 77.3 cm Bologna, 1680 c. | Tue 1st November 2011 | £157,381 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Bologna, 1700 c. (top possibly later) [Probably by] | Mon 1st June 2009 | £4,800 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Bologna, 1690 c. (the head probably by "G.B. Rogeri") | Sat 1st March 2008 | £43,700 |
| Viola | 41.1 cm Bologna, 1700 c. (later ribs, head probably later) [Attributed to] | Sat 1st March 2008 | £86,450 |
| Violin | 35.1 cm (soundholes altered) | Mon 1st October 2007 | £27,130 |
| Violin | 33.7 cm Bologna, 1700 c. (scroll later) | Tue 1st May 2007 | £10,016 |
| Violin | 34.8 cm Bologna, 1700 c. | Wed 1st November 2006 | £26,400 |
| Violin | 35.1 cm Bologna, 1700 c. [Ascribed to] | Wed 1st November 2006 | £10,800 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Bologna, 1696 c. | Mon 1st May 2006 | £31,883 |
| Violin | Bologna, 1700 c. | Sun 1st May 2005 | £24,952 |
| Violin | Bologna, 1700 c. | Mon 1st November 2004 | £42,000 |
| Violin | Bologna [Attributed to "Matteo Goffriller"] | Mon 1st March 2004 | £35,850 |
| Violin | 1696 | Thu 1st November 2001 | £37,518 |
| Violin | 1704 | Sun 1st October 1995 | £27,600 |
| Violin | 1690 c. | Fri 1st November 1991 | £31,900 |
| Violin | 1700 c. | Fri 1st April 1983 | £2,420 |
Biographies
John Dilworth
TONONI, Giovanni Born circa. 1640, died 1713 Bologna Italy. Son of Gaspare, a ‘case-maker’. Active from 1688. Very fine and distinguished work, although quite variable. It is probable that alongside his son Carlo, Guidanti may have participated in the workshop. Amati model, some with quite dished edges and medium height of arch. Slightly boxy in the Stainer manner; others of generally fuller modelling. The heads are distinctive with the volute rather small and cramped, especially on the cellos. Some have a broad and well-handled chamfer; others a less confident line. The soundholes are well cut and open with slender slightly pointed wings, possibly set a little close together. Edges and corners are broad. The precise purfling is of beech with long corner mitres. The varnish is also very changeable: from a very Amati-like golden honey-brown to a darker red-brown, with a variety of textures. A wide range of materials: very plain maple backs to intensely figured root wood and subtly figured slab-cut pieces. Conventional jointed straight figured backs are comparatively rare. Some violas recorded, but cellos are renowned, and most impressive in a manner recalling the best Venetian work of Gofriller. Joannes de Tononis fecit Bononiae / in Via Mamuli Anno 1699 Joannes Tunonus fecit Bononiae / in Platea Pavaglionis Anno Domini 1690
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