Turin School
Annibale Fagnola
Turin, 1865–1939
Annibale Fagnola (1865-1939) was a prolific Italian luthier active in Turin from 1894, known for his exceptional copies of instruments by Pressenda, Rocca, and Guadagnini. A pupil of M. Rinaldi, Fagnola's skill in replicating the materials and techniques of original masters made his copies difficult to distinguish from the originals, even for experts. His instruments, often featuring a fine golden orange to red hued varnish, were imported to London and regularly appeared in salerooms. He typically included his own label alongside a facsimile of the original and signed his instruments on the interior.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
52 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Labelled Hannibal Fagnola fecit, Taurini anno Domini 1925, and Joannes Franciscus Pressenda q. ... Lot 171 | Tarisio | October 2024 | £88,783est. € 100.000-150.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Hannibal Fagnola fecit Taurini anno Domini 1927, also bearing a facsimile Pressenda label Lot 33 | Ingles & H. | March 2024 | £105,000est. £ 90,000-130,000 |
| Violin | Lot 61 | Bonhams | May 2013 | £85,250 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Turin, 1900 c. | — | December 2011 | £55,200 |
| Violin | Turin, 1928 | — | December 2011 | £56,010 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm | — | October 2011 | £115,250 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Turin, 1928 | — | October 2011 | £46,850 |
| Violin | 36.3 cm 1900 c. Attributed to | — | June 2011 | £4,800 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Turin, 1900 c. | — | May 2011 | £21,850 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Turin, 1925 c. | — | May 2011 | £30,955 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Turin, 1930 | — | October 2010 | £58,207 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Attributed to | — | October 2010 | £2,280 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Turin, 1928 | — | March 2010 | £33,600 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Turin, 1925 | — | March 2010 | £61,250 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Turin, 1900 c. | — | March 2010 | £43,200 |
| Violin | 35.1 cm 1880 Ascribed to | — | February 2010 | £9,237 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Turin 1922 | — | June 2009 | £65,341 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Turin, 1914 (some table restoration) | — | June 2009 | £47,191 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm 20th C. Ascribed to | — | March 2009 | £5,625 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Italy, 20th C. Ascribed to | — | April 2008 | £13,736 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Turin, 1922, after "Pressenda" | — | March 2008 | £48,500 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Turin, 1926 | — | October 2007 | £42,500 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Turin, 1906 | — | May 2007 | £36,004 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Turin, 1922 | — | May 2007 | £35,349 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Turin, 1924 | — | May 2006 | £39,856 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm 20th C. Attributed to | — | February 2006 | £6,000 |
| Violin | Turin, 1929 | — | October 2005 | £35,300 |
| Violin | Turin, 1921 | — | June 2005 | £41,859 |
| Violin | Turin, 1915 | — | May 2005 | £61,351 |
| Violin | 1900 c. Probably by | — | May 2005 | £10,990 |
| Violin | Turin, 1900 c. | — | February 2005 | £28,800 |
| Violin | Turin, 1928 | — | November 2004 | £38,400 |
| Violin | Turin, 1932 | — | October 2004 | £21,949 |
| Violin | Turin, 1929 | — | October 2004 | £36,522 |
| Violin | Turin, 1925 | — | July 2004 | £33,600 |
| Violin | Turin, 1925 | — | March 2004 | £45,600 |
| Violin | 1925 | — | December 2003 | £25,563 |
| Violin | 1925 | — | July 2003 | £40,800 |
| Violin | 1933 | — | November 2002 | £35,850 |
| Violin | 1924 | — | October 2002 | £29,025 |
| Viola | 40.0 cm 1904 | — | March 2002 | £40,750 |
| Violin | 1929 | — | May 2001 | £50,709 |
| Violin | 1929 | — | March 2001 | £49,390 |
| Violin | 1925 | — | June 2000 | £43,661 |
| Violin | 1926 | — | May 2000 | £40,000 |
| Violin | 1928 | — | March 2000 | £41,100 |
| Violin | 1929 | — | March 1999 | £30,000 |
| Violin | 1931 | — | November 1998 | £43,700 |
| Violin | 1923 | — | October 1997 | £19,550 |
| Violin | 1890 c. | — | June 1997 | £31,050 |
| Violin | 1921 | — | May 1993 | £30,800 |
| Viola | 41.0 cm 1928 | — | November 1989 | £17,600 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Annibale Fagnola (1865-1939) was born in Montiglio, Italy, in 1865 and died in Turin in 1939. He was active in Turin from 1894, establishing himself independently from 1899 at 3 vicolo Scuderie Reali. Fagnola was a very prolific maker, specializing in copies of instruments by Pressenda, Rocca, and Guadagnini. His work was imported to London in considerable numbers from about 1905, and his instruments appeared regularly in salerooms after World War I., who reported in 1926, he had been offered about 15 "Pressendas" several years earlier by a dealer in Turin, only later realizing they were new and almost certainly by Fagnola. Fagnola himself generally inserted a label of his own alongside a facsimile of the original, though these have often been interfered with subsequently. His instruments are usually signed on the interior.
Characteristics
- Specialization
- Annibale Fagnola specialized in creating copies of instruments by renowned makers such as Pressenda, Rocca, and Guadagnini.
- Technique
- Coming from the same tradition as the makers he imitated, Fagnola was able to utilize similar materials and techniques, making it difficult for many experts and dealers to distinguish between his copies and the originals.
- Varnish
- His instruments feature a fine golden orange to red hued varnish.
- Annibale Fagnola
fece Turino 1902John Dilworth - Hannibal Fagnola, fecit
Taurini anno Domini 1904John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Training: Annibale Fagnola was a pupil of M. Rinaldi.
- Assistants: Some anonymous copies of Fagnola's instruments that appeared in the late 20th century were possibly the work of a late pupil and assistant, Angelo Fasciolo.
- Market Value: Ironically, since Fagnola's work has become valued in itself, many anonymous copies of his instruments began to appear in the late 20th century.
- Market Presence: His work was imported to London in considerable numbers from about 1905, appearing regularly in salerooms after World War I.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
FAGNOLA, Annibale Born 1865 Montiglio, died 1939 Turin Italy. Active in Turin from 1894. Pupil of M. Rinaldi. Established independently from 1899 at 3 vicolo Scuderie Reali. Very prolific maker, specialising in copies of Pressenda, Rocca, and Guadagnini. Coming from the same tradition he was able to make use of similar materials and techniques to those of the makers he imitated to the extent that distinguishing between the copy and the originals became difficult for many experts and dealers. His work was imported to London in considerable numbers from about 1905, appearing regularly in salerooms after World War I. In 1926 Alfred Hill reported that he had several years earlier been offered 15 or so ‘Pressendas’ by a dealer in Turin, realising only later that they were new and almost certainly by Fagnola. Fagnola himself generally inserted a label of his own alongside a facsimile of the original, but these have often been interfered with subsequently. Usually signed on the interior. Fine golden orange to red hued varnish. Ironically, since Fagnola’s work has become valued in itself, many anonymous copies of his instruments began to appear in the late 20th century, some of which were possibly the work of a late pupil and assistant, Angelo Fasciolo. Annibale Fagnola / fece Turino 1902 Hannibal Fagnola, fecit / Taurini anno Domini 1904
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