Italy School
Gaetano Chiocchi
Monselice, Padua, c.1814–1881
Gaetano Chiocchi (1814-c.1881) was an Italian violin maker, violinist, and musical director who worked in Padua. He learned his craft from Giuseppe Ceruti around 1858 and was known for his broad Guarneri and Maggini models, distinctive wide purfling, and fine soft red varnish. Chiocchi received medals in Florence in 1861 and in Padua, and was praised for his skill in both making and repairing instruments.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 36.1 cm Padua, 1871 | June 2011 | £21,600 |
| Cello | 76.3 cm Padua, 1870 [Workshop of] | March 2011 | £27,500 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Padua, Mid 19th C. | October 2010 | £31,920 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm 1877 c. [Attributed to] | November 2008 | £3,600 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm 19th C. [Attributed to] | July 2006 | £1,440 |
| Violin | 1870 c. [Probably by] | November 2005 | £1,608 |
| Violin | 1860 c. | June 1995 | £3,795 |
Maker Overview
Life
Gaetano Chiocchi (1814-c.1881) was born in 1814 and died circa 1881 in Monselice, Padua, Italy. He was a violinist and musical director at the Teatro Grande in Padua. Gaetano Chiocchi learned violin making from Giuseppe Ceruti around 1858.'s A Dictionary of Violin Makers, he worked in Padua in the 19th century and was clever at both repairing and making instruments. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff's Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart notes that De Piccolellis praised Chiocchi as a capable artist and an excellent restorer.
Characteristics
- Models
- Gaetano Chiocchi produced broad Guarneri and Maggini models with open 'c' bouts.
- Purfling
- His instruments featured wide purfling, occasionally made up of five strands rather than the usual three.
- Scroll
- He crafted good symmetrical and concentric scrolls with very restricted throats and delicate chamfers.
- Varnish
- Chiocchi applied a fine soft red varnish with a shaded finish.
- Prolificacy
- He was not a prolific maker.
- Labels
- Examples of his labels include 'Chiocci Gaetano / fece in Padova 18..' and 'Gaetano Chiocchi / fece in Padova 1876'.
- Chiocci Gaetano
fece in Padova 18..John Dilworth - Gaetano Chiocchi
fece in Padova 1876John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Gaetano Chiocchi learned violin making from Giuseppe Ceruti around 1858.
- Awards: Gaetano Chiocchi was awarded medals in Florence in 1861 and in Padua.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
CHIOCCHI, Gaetano Born 1814, d.c.1881 Monselice, Padua Italy. Violinist and musical director at the Teatro Grande, Padua. Learned violin making from Giuseppe Ceruti around 1858. Medals awarded in Florence 1861 and in Padua. Broad Guarneri and Maggini models with open ‘c’ bouts, wide purfling (occasionally made up of five strands rather than the usual three), good symmetrical and concentric scroll with very restricted throat and delicate chamfer. Fine soft red varnish applied with a shaded finish. Not prolific. Chiocci Gaetano / fece in Padova 18.. Gaetano Chiocchi / fece in Padova 1876
Cecie Stainer+
Worked in Padua in the 19th century. Was clever both at repairing instruments and making them.
Chretien, Hippolyte,
b. April 1, 1845, Sommerviller. In 1865 he succeeded to the business of his uncle, Hippolyte Silvestre, in Lyons; 1884, moved to Paris. Under the name of “Silvestre neveu” he has maintained the excellent reputation acquired by his uncle. His new instruments have a beautiful tone and are well made, the varnish is transparent; he is also extremely skilful in repairing old instruments.
Awards: silver medal Lyons, 1872; large medal of “progress,” Vienna, 1873; silver medal, Paris, 1878; gold medal, 1889
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Vielleicht ein Sohn von Antonio C. De Piccolellis schreibt den Namen
Chiocchi und rühmt diesen Geigenbauer als tüchtigen Künstler und trefflichen
Wiederhersteller.
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