Genoa School
Lorenzo Bellafontana
Genoa, 1906–1979
Violinist. Studied violin making with Oreste Candi. Established independently from 1935 in Pegli, Genoa, later moving to 8/9 via Davide Chiossone in the city itself. This was bombed in the Second World War and in 1945 he opened a new workshop at 8/10 Piazza Paolo da Novi, moving again to via Paolo G\u{2026} — John Dilworth
Auction price history
Highest auction price
17 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Labelled Laurentius Bellafontana fecit, Genuae anno domini 1966, signed to the label, branded Lot 102 | Tarisio | May 2024 | £21,668est. € 20.000-30.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Laurentius Bellafontana fecit, Genuae Anno Domini 1974, signed to the label, branded Lot 114 | Tarisio | October 2023 | £15,688est. € 15.000-22.000 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Genoa, 1976 | — | April 2010 | £8,439 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Genoa, 1976 | — | April 2009 | £7,620 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Gènes, 1966 | — | June 2008 | £6,963 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Genoa, 1967 | — | March 2008 | £6,435 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Genoa, 1956 | — | November 2006 | £11,400 |
| Bass Bow | 156.5 g. | — | May 2006 | £613 |
| Violin | — | May 2005 | £5,040 | |
| Violin | Genoa, 1959 Attributed to | — | November 2004 | £14,340 |
| Violin | 1959 | — | June 2002 | £10,568 |
| Viola | 41.7 cm 1937 | — | December 2000 | £1,733 |
| Violin | 1976 | — | March 1998 | £4,830 |
| Violin | 1979 | — | June 1997 | £3,680 |
| Violin | 1967 | — | November 1993 | £5,980 |
| Violin | 1934 | — | March 1993 | £6,900 |
| Violin | 1976 | — | October 1989 | £1,595 |
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Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
BELLAFONTANA, Lorenzo Born 1906, died 1979 Genoa Italy. Violinist. Studied violin making with Oreste Candi. Established independently from 1935 in Pegli, Genoa, later moving to 8/9 via Davide Chiossone in the city itself. This was bombed in the Second World War and in 1945 he opened a new workshop at 8/10 Piazza Paolo da Novi, moving again to via Paolo Giacometti, and finally at 10/2 Corso Torino. Appointed curator of Paganini’s 1743 Guarneri del Gesù ‘Cannone’ violin in 1967. Early work in the style of Candi, made in an external mould with linings in one piece across the corner blocks. His best more classically informed work comes from the period 1945-1950. Medals at various exhibitions including Cremona 1949. One of the leading members of the Ligurian school in the 20th century. Stradivari, Guarneri, and personal models. Rich red hard spirit varnish over golden ground. Also bow maker. Laurentius Bellafontana / Fecit Genuae / A.D. 19.. N.. Laurentius Bellafontana fecit / Genuae Anno Domini 1946 [Blot III]
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Working in Genoa at the same time
Andrea Cortese 1889–1954
Cesare Candi 1869–1947
Cesare Maggiali b. 1886
Corrado Gritti b. 1925
Enrico Giordani 1878–1954
Giuseppe Bernardo Lecchi 1895–1967
Giuseppe Castagnino 1883–1975
Guido Leoni 1902–1978