Gaetano Sgarabotto
Brescia, Mantua, Milan, Parma, Vicenza, 1878–1960
Gaetano SGARABOTTO (1878-1960) was an Italian luthier renowned for his finely observed copies of classical Italian masters like Testore and Grancino, as well as his own distinctive model. He studied wood carving and violin making under R. Antoniazzi and L. Bisiach, later becoming Director of the Violin Making School in Parma. His instruments, including violins, violas, cellos, and double basses, were recognized with numerous medals and are noted for their finished quality and varied varnishes. A quartet he crafted is housed in the Museo Stradivariano.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
46 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viola | Illustrated on I Segreti di Sgarabotto by Andrea Zanré, pp. 218-219; labelled Joannes Baptista ... Lot 175 | Ingles & H. | March 2025 | £28,800est. £ 10,000-15,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Stefano Scarampella fece in Mantova 1900 Lot 93 | Tarisio | October 2024 | £35,400est. £ 30,000-50,000 |
| Viola | Labelled Antonius Landolfi fecit Mediolani Anno 1768 Lot 128 | Ingles & H. | October 2024 | £48,000est. £ 40,000-60,000 |
| Viola | Labelled Gaetano Guadagnini fece in Torino nell'anno 1830 in Piazza S. Carlo Lot 103 | Ingles & H. | March 2024 | £42,000est. £ 35,000-50,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Luigi Bajoni fece l'anno 1877 in Milano, labelled to the upper block Gaetano Sgarabotto Lot 113 | Tarisio | March 2024 | £39,857est. $ 40,000-60,000 |
| Violin | Lot 196 | Brompton's | May 2018 | £4,400 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Parma, 1930 c. | — | May 2011 | £29,134 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Parma, 1931 | — | December 2010 | £9,600 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Milan, 1910 c. | — | October 2010 | £18,777 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Milan, 1910 c. | — | April 2010 | £39,280 |
| Violin | 35.0 cm Parma, 1932 | — | December 2009 | £16,800 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Vicenza, 1921 | — | October 2009 | £24,000 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Brescia, 1952 | — | May 2009 | £19,410 |
| Violin | 35.2 cm Vicenza, 1910 c. (varnish substantially retouched in parts) | — | March 2009 | £16,380 |
| Violin | 35.0 cm Milan, 1900 c. Probably by | — | November 2008 | £18,525 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Brescia, 1930 c. | — | October 2008 | £23,500 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Brescia, 1952 | — | March 2008 | £14,900 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Parma, 1946 | — | October 2007 | £24,500 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Milan, 1910 c. "Grancino" copy | — | March 2007 | £17,250 |
| Cello | 76.0 cm Parma, 1930 c. | — | February 2007 | £48,000 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Vicenza, 1899 | — | November 2006 | £21,051 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Milan, 1927 | — | November 2006 | £30,073 |
| Violin | Parma, 1910 c. | — | November 2005 | £9,852 |
| Violin | Vicenza, 1924 | — | October 2005 | £26,107 |
| Violin | Parma, 1933 | — | April 2005 | £30,077 |
| Viola | 40.5 cm Milan, 1920 c. | — | May 2004 | £20,910 |
| Violin | 1932 | — | October 2003 | £17,208 |
| Violin | 1903 c. | — | November 2001 | £14,362 |
| Violin | 1920 | — | November 2001 | £5,585 |
| Violin | 1920 | — | May 2000 | £7,333 |
| Violin | 1930 | — | November 1998 | £1,593 |
| Violin | 1937 | — | April 1998 | £21,850 |
| Violin | 1954 | — | March 1998 | £20,125 |
| Violin | 1928 | — | June 1996 | £20,700 |
| Viola | 41.9 cm 1939 | — | November 1995 | £16,100 |
| Violin | 1920 | — | November 1995 | £19,550 |
| Violin | 1930 c. | — | June 1995 | £31,050 |
| Violin | 1915 c. | — | November 1994 | £24,150 |
| Violin | 1913 | — | November 1993 | £11,892 |
| Cello | 1950 | — | November 1991 | £11,550 |
| Viola | 41.3 cm 1949 | — | June 1990 | £4,180 |
| Viola | 41.0 cm 1953 | — | November 1988 | £5,500 |
| Violin | 1943 | — | May 1986 | £2,592 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | March 1986 | £2,655 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | June 1985 | £2,388 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | October 1984 | £4,224 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Gaetano SGARABOTTO (1878-1960) was born on September 20, 1878, in Vicenza, Italy, and passed away in 1960 in Parma, Italy. He undertook studies in wood carving at the Academia Olimpica in Vicenza. In 1893, he relocated to Milan, where he became a pupil of R. Antoniazzi and L. Bisiach. Sgarabotto was appointed Director of the Violin Making School in Parma in 1928. He worked briefly in Brescia and subsequently returned to Parma., he worked in Parma after 1928 and in Brescia since 1948. He was honored with the title of 'Cavaliere' in 1918. He exhibited a violin and an entire quartet at the Cremona Exhibition in 1937.
Characteristics
- Style
- He worked in the style of Stradivari and N. Amati, and produced finely observed copies of many classical Italian works, including those of Testore and Grancino.
- Models
- He also developed his own personal model, which was distilled from these various influences.
- Instruments
- He crafted violins, violas, cellos, and double basses.
- Varnish
- He utilized a red or pale orange varnish, and Henri Poidras notes his fine yellow varnish.
- Workmanship
- Henri Poidras describes his instruments, apart from his imitations, as very finished.
- Cajetanus Sgarabotto Vicentinus
fecit Mediolanum anno Domini 1908John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Teachers: He was a pupil of R. Antoniazzi and L. Bisiach in Milan.
- Leadership: He was appointed Director of the Violin Making School in Parma in 1928.
- Awards: He was awarded numerous medals, including in Vicenza, Turin (1898), Paris (1900), Milan (1906), Brussels (1910), and Rome (1920).
- Recognition: He was created 'Cavaliere' in 1918.
- Exhibitions & Collections: A quartet he made for the 1937 Exhibition in Cremona is preserved at the Museo Stradivariano.
- Jurist Role: He served as a jurist at several international competitions.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SGARABOTTO, Gaetano Born 1878 Vicenza, died 1960 Parma Italy. Studied wood carving at the Academia Olimpica, Vicenza. Moved to Milan 1893, where he became a pupil of R. Antoniazzi and L. Bisiach. Appointed Director of the Violin Making School in Parma 1928. Worked briefly in Brescia and returned to Parma. Finely observed copies of many classical Italian works, including Testore and Grancino. Also his own personal model distilled from all these influences. Violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. Many medals awarded: Vicenza, Turin 1898, Paris 1900, Milan 1906, Brussels 1910, and Rome 1920. A quartet made for the 1937 Exhibition in Cremona is kept at the Museo Stradivariano. Acted as a jurist himself at several international competitions. Created ‘Cavaliere’ in 1918. Manuscript and printed labels. Cajetanus Sgarabotto Vicentinus / fecit Mediolanum anno Domini 1908
Henri Poidras+
Contemporary maker, copyist of Testore and Grancino of rare skill. Apart from his imitations, this maker made very finished instruments. Fine yellow varnish.
Karel Jalovec+
Milan, Vicenza, San Felice, Parma, Brescia. Born Sept. 20, 1878 in Vicenza, he worked in the style of Stradivari and N. Amati, using a red or pale orange varnish. Worked in Parma after 1928 and in Brescia since 1948. Exhibited a violin and an entire quartet at Cremona 1937.
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