Pietro Antonio Dalla Costa

Life

Pietro Antonio Dalla Costa (circa 1720-1768) was born in Alba and worked primarily in Treviso, Italy. in The Brompton’s Book of Violin & Bow Makers, he worked circa 1720-1768. However, Cecie Stainer in A Dictionary of Violin Makers states he worked in Treviso about 1740-1765. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart, notes that his name is also read as Dalla Caesta. Lütgendorff also suggests that he may have temporarily worked in Mantua and Venice, possibly before 1720 or after 1757. His name was frequently misused by forgers, which may account for the wide variation in dates associated with his work. Notably, Dilworth records that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart himself owned a Dalla Costa violin.

Characteristics

Innovation

Unusually for makers of his time, Pietro Antonio Dalla Costa explicitly acknowledged the Amati Brothers on his labels. These labels stated that the instrument was either a copy of their work or made using their example, rather than implying he was a pupil, as other makers often did (Dilworth).

Methods

A fine maker of the Venetian school, Dalla Costa produced Amatisé work, though Dilworth noted it was not as disciplined or highly finished as its Amati inspiration. His instruments were delicate in form and generally featured a low arch (Dilworth). He worked quite cleanly ("recht sauber"). Cecie Stainer further notes his adherence to the patterns of Antonio and Gerolamo Amati.

Varnish

Sources present conflicting information regarding his varnish. Dilworth describes it as typical Venetian red varnish, applied fairly thinly. Lütgendorff praises his "magnificent reddish-brown varnish." In contrast, Cecie Stainer states he used yellow varnish of good quality.

Influence and legacy

• Schools/Tradition: Pietro Antonio Dalla Costa is identified as a fine maker of the Venetian school (Dilworth). He was an imitator of the Amati brothers, a fact he openly emphasized (Lütgendorff), and also of Stradivari (Lütgendorff).
• Notable Associations: Among his notable associations, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart famously owned a Dalla Costa violin (Dilworth).
• Famous Owners: The illustrious composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a documented owner of a Dalla Costa violin (Dilworth).
• Modern Recognition: The frequent misuse of his name by forgers has significantly contributed to the wide-ranging and often contradictory dates found associated with his instruments, complicating precise historical timelines (Lütgendorff).