Italy School
Stefano Scarampella
Brecia, Brescia, Mantua, 1843–1925
Stefano SCARAMPELLA (1843-1925) was a prolific and successful Italian violin maker born in Brescia and active in Mantua. He was the son of Paolo Scarampella and a pupil of his brother, Giuseppe Scarampella. Stefano's work often featured a muscular interpretation of Stradivari or Balestrieri models, though his craftsmanship was sometimes less refined than his brother's, with scrolls tending to be coarsely finished. His varnish, described with varying qualities from red-brown to supple orange, was applied to instruments often made with local Italian 'oppio' wood, known for their rich tone. He received silver and gold medals for his work and, like his brother, his instruments were frequently copied.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
53 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viola | Illustrated in Four Centuries of Violin Making by Tim Ingles, pp. 490 and 491 Lot 40 | Tarisio | March 2025 | £64,878est. $ 60,000-90,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Stefano Scarampella di Brescia premiato con medaglie d'argento fratello ed allievo del ... Lot 191 | Ingles & H. | October 2024 | £60,000est. £ 60,000-80,000 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Mantua, 1917 | — | May 2011 | £44,387 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm 1900 c. Attributed to | — | March 2011 | £5,700 |
| Viola | 39.9 cm Mantua, 1909 | — | October 2010 | £37,553 |
| Viola | 39.4 cm Mantoue, 1901 | — | June 2010 | £46,602 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Mid-20th C. Attributed to | — | April 2010 | £17,283 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mantoue, 1918 | — | December 2009 | £57,668 |
| Cello | 75.0 cm 1890 c. | — | October 2009 | £34,800 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mantua, 1900 c. Attributed to | — | June 2009 | £4,800 |
| Cello | 76.1 cm Mantua, 1910 c. Attributed to | — | March 2009 | £24,000 |
| Cello | 74.5 cm Mantua, 1907 Attributed to | — | March 2009 | £15,600 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Late 19th C. Attributed to | — | October 2008 | £9,375 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Italy, 1920 c. Attributed to | — | October 2008 | £4,375 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Italy, 19th C. Attributed to | — | October 2007 | £17,300 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Mantua, 1900 | — | May 2006 | £23,394 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mantua, 1909 | — | February 2006 | £15,600 |
| Violin | Brescia, 1880 c. | — | November 2005 | £33,600 |
| Violin | Mantua, 1910 c. | — | October 2005 | £40,164 |
| Violin | Italy, 20th C. Ascribed to | — | October 2005 | £6,788 |
| Violin | Brescia, 1923 | — | May 2005 | £17,760 |
| Violin | Mantua, 1914 | — | May 2005 | £11,705 |
| Violin | Mantua, 1914 | — | May 2005 | £44,199 |
| Violin | Attributed to | — | January 2005 | £7,170 |
| Viola | 39.4 cm Mantua, c. 1910 Probably by | — | July 2004 | £14,400 |
| Violin | Mantua, 1919 Attributed to | — | July 2004 | £11,353 |
| Violin | Brecia 1900 Attributed to | — | July 2004 | £5,378 |
| Violin | 1920 c. Workshop | — | May 2004 | £43,101 |
| Violin | Mantua, 1875 Attributed to | — | May 2004 | £9,560 |
| Violin | 1922 | — | October 2002 | £38,675 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | October 2002 | £16,826 |
| Violin | 1901 | — | May 2002 | £41,945 |
| Violin | 1920 | — | May 2001 | £26,596 |
| Violin | 1922 | — | March 2000 | £32,200 |
| Violin | 1903 | — | June 1999 | £22,000 |
| Violin | 1884 | — | March 1999 | £26,000 |
| Violin | 1912 | — | December 1998 | £28,807 |
| Violin | 1884 | — | June 1998 | £32,200 |
| Violin | 1895 | — | March 1998 | £37,030 |
| Violin | 1890 c. | — | March 1996 | £27,600 |
| Viola | 42.2 cm 1869 | — | March 1995 | £49,900 |
| Cello | 19-- | — | March 1994 | £35,200 |
| Violin | 1914 | — | March 1992 | £20,900 |
| Violin | 1905 | — | November 1989 | £7,150 |
| Violin | 1903 | — | March 1989 | £7,920 |
| Violin | 1895 | — | November 1987 | £8,800 |
| Violin | 1908 | — | May 1986 | £9,350 |
| Violin | 1913 | — | June 1983 | £7,857 |
| Violin | 1900 | — | February 1982 | £2,973 |
| Violin | 1911 | — | May 1981 | £1,980 |
| Viola | 38.7 cm 1896 | — | April 1981 | £5,902 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | November 1980 | £1,980 |
| Viola | 41.6 cm 1903 | — | November 1980 | £1,870 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Stefano SCARAMPELLA (1843-1925) was born in Brescia on March 17, 1843, and established himself in Mantua. Sources contain conflicting information about his death year, with John Dilworth stating 1925 in Mantua, Italy, while Karel Jalovec states 1927. He was the son of Paolo Scarampella and the brother and pupil of Giuseppe Scarampella. Stefano Scarampella was a prolific and very successful maker, though technically his craftsmanship was not as consistently fine as that of his brother Giuseppe.
Characteristics
- Models
- He produced various classical models, but much of his work is described by John Dilworth as a muscular interpretation of Stradivari or his Mantuan predecessor T. Balestrieri. Karel Jalovec notes that he worked on the pattern of Balestrieri, creating large, broad violins.
- Workmanship
- Henri Poidras states that his work was often lacking in finish. John Dilworth observes that his scrolls tend to be quite coarsely finished, and his craftsmanship was not as consistently fine as that of his brother Giuseppe.
- Varnish
- John Dilworth describes his red-brown varnish as sometimes a little thin and dull, but just as often rich and well-applied. Henri Poidras mentions a supple orange varnish. Karel Jalovec, however, states that the varnish was of no particular quality and its brown-red hue lacked beauty.
- Materials
- John Dilworth notes that Stefano Scarampella regularly used local Italian 'oppio' wood.
- Tone
- Karel Jalovec describes his instruments as having a rich tone.
- Stefano Scarampella di Brescia
premiato con medaglie d’argento
fratello ed allievo del Giuseppe
fece in Brescia anno 18..John Dilworth - S.S. Stefano Scarampella Fratello ed Allievo di Giuseppe fecit in Mantova—Anno.. Stefano Scarampella
di Brescia
Premiato con medaglie d’oro
fratello ed allievo del Giuseppe
fece in Mantova annoJohn Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Stefano Scarampella was the pupil of his brother, Giuseppe Scarampella, and Cecie Stainer.
- Stylistic Influence: He worked on the pattern of Balestrieri.
- Recognition: His labels indicate he was 'premiato con medaglie d'argento' (awarded with silver medals) and 'premiato con medaglie d'oro' (awarded with gold medals).
- Replication: John Dilworth notes that Stefano Scarampella's work was much copied, similar to his brother's.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SCARAMPELLA, Stefano Born 1843 Brescia, died 1925 Mantua Italy. Brother and pupil of Giuseppe Scarampella. Established in Mantua. Various classical models, but much of his work is a muscular interpretation of Stradivari or his Mantuan predecessor T. Balestrieri. Prolific and very successful maker, although technically his craftsmanship is not as consistently fine as that of Giuseppe. Scrolls tend to be quite coarsely finished. Red-brown varnish sometimes a little thin and dull, but just as often rich and well-applied. Used local Italian ‘oppio’ wood regularly. Also much copied, like his brother. Stefano Scarampella di Brescia / premiato con medaglie d’argento / fratello ed allievo del Giuseppe / fece in Brescia anno 18.. Stefano Scarampella di Brescia / premiato con medaglie d’argento / fratello ed allievo del Giuseppe / fece anno 19.. S.S. Stefano Scarampella Fratello ed Allievo di Giuseppe fecit in Mantova—Anno.. Stefano Scarampella / di Brescia / Premiato con medaglie d’oro / fratello ed allievo del Giuseppe / fece in Mantova anno
Cecie Stainer+
Son of Paolo Scarampella; b. March 17, 1843, Brescia. Pupil of his brother Giuseppe. Settled in Mantua, at 8, via Vescovado. He has made many good violins.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Sohn von Paolo Sc. Schüler seines Bruders Giuseppe; tüchtiger Geigenmacher, der viele Violinen gemacht hat.
Henri Poidras+
Brother and pupil of one above. Supple orange varnish. Work often lacking in finish.
Karel Jalovec+
Mantua. Born March 17, 1843, d. 1927. Son of Paolo and pupil of his brother Giuseppe. Worked on the pattern of Balestrieri, large, broad violins. He was a skilful and very diligent master. The varnish is of no particular quality and its brown-red hue lacks beauty. Rich tone.
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