Ferrara School
Ettore Soffritti
Ferrara, 1877–1928
Ettore SOFFRITTI (1877-1928) was an Italian master violin maker born in Ferrara, Italy, and was the son and pupil of Luigi Soffritti. A distinguished exponent of the 'Emilian school', he was known for his neat and well-organized work, low archings, and fine transparent oil varnish in golden-orange shades, inspired by the great Cremonese masters. He received numerous accolades, including medals in Rome, Brussels, Ferrara, and Turin, and was knighted in 1925.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
20 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Labelled Ettore Soffritti premiato con medaglie d'oro Vincitore del concorso indetto dalla Regia ... Lot 112 | Tarisio | March 2024 | £43,803est. $ 40,000-60,000 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Ferrara, 1910 | — | October 2011 | £31,680 |
| Violin | 36.2 cm Ferrara, 1892 c. | — | June 2011 | £15,600 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Ferrara, 1920 | — | March 2011 | £36,000 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Ferrara, 1923 | — | March 2010 | £26,400 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Ferrara, 1921, finished by his best pupil "Anselmo Gotti" upon his death | — | March 2008 | £19,335 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Ferrara, 1927 | — | October 2006 | £20,229 |
| Violin | Ferrara, 1916 | — | May 2005 | £16,145 |
| Violin | Ferrara, 1911 | — | November 2004 | £22,800 |
| Violin | 1911 | — | July 2003 | £14,100 |
| Violin | 1902 | — | March 2003 | £11,750 |
| Violin | 1927 | — | June 2002 | £24,533 |
| Violin | 1905 | — | November 1999 | £9,200 |
| Violin | 1919 | — | March 1994 | £12,650 |
| Violin | 1925 | — | July 1990 | £5,280 |
| Violin | 1910 | — | November 1987 | £5,500 |
| Violin | 1925 | — | June 1987 | £5,280 |
| Violin | 1898 | — | September 1981 | £2,970 |
| Violin | 1923 | — | November 1980 | £1,870 |
| Violin | 1922 | — | May 1980 | £1,540 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Ettore SOFFRITTI (1877-1928) was born on June 3, 1877, in Ferrara, Italy, and passed away on January 5, 1928, in the same city. He was the son of Luigi Soffritti, and, he was his pupil. Karel Jalovec, however, states he was 'perhaps' his pupil. Soffritti was a loyal and very distinguished exponent of the 'Emilian school' and was knighted in 1925.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- His work is characterized by neatness and organization, featuring softened but well-defined rounded edges.
- Scroll
- The scroll is beautifully concentric and finely balanced, with a delicately rounded and consistent chamfer.
- Archings
- Instruments feature low archings.
- Soundholes
- The soundholes are excellently placed and cut.
- Varnish
- He utilized a fine, transparent oil varnish that was soft and reflective, appearing in various shades of golden-orange. Henri Poidras notes the varnish was either of a gold yellow shade or gold red.
- Inspiration
- His works were crafted after the style of the great Cremonese masters.
- Some instruments branded: ‘E.Sofritti’ Hector Soffriti filius Aloysj
fecit Ferrariae An. Dom. Ettore Soffritti
Premiato con Medaglie d’oro
figlio ed allievo del Luigi
Fece in Ferrara l’anno 19..John Dilworth - Ettore Soffritti
Premiato con Medaglie d’oro
all’Esposizione Intrenazionale di Bruxelles
Fece in Ferrara l’anno 19..John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Ettore Soffritti was the son and pupil of Luigi Soffritti, who was himself a clever maker.
- School & Inspiration: He was a distinguished exponent of the 'Emilian school', inspired by Marconcini.
- Influence: Soffritti, in turn, inspired many other makers in the Emilia Romagna region.
- Awards: He was awarded medals in Rome in 1923, Brussels in 1910, and Ferrara and Turin in 1911.
- Prizes: Soffritti received a Gold Medal at the Exhibition of Brussels and the First Prize at the Instrument competition of the Saint Cecilia Academy of Rome in 1923.
- Honors: He was knighted in 1925.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SOFFRITTI, Ettore Born 1877, died 1928 Ferrara Italy. Son and pupil of Luigi Soffritti, below. Medals awarded in Rome 1923, Brussels 1910, Ferrara and Turin 1911. Knighted in 1925. A loyal and very distinguished exponent of the ‘Emilian school’, inspired by Marconcini, he in turn inspired many other makers in the Emilia Romagna region. Very neat and well-organised work, with softened but well-defined rounded edges. Scroll beautifully concentric and finely balanced, with a delicately rounded and consistent chamfer. Low archings. Excellently placed and cut soundholes. Fine transparent oil varnish, soft and reflective, in various shades of golden-orange. Some instruments branded: ‘E.Sofritti’ Hector Soffriti filius Aloysj / fecit Ferrariae An. Dom. Ettore Soffritti / Premiato con Medaglie d’oro/ figlio ed allievo del Luigi / Fece in Ferrara l’anno 19.. Ettore Soffritti / Premiato con Medaglie d’oro / all’Esposizione Intrenazionale di Bruxelles / Fece in Ferrara l’anno 19.. [Blot]
Henri Poidras+
Contempory master maker born at Ferrara in 1877. He learnt his art with his father Louis Soffritti who was himself a clever maker. His works are after that of the great Cremonese masters and the workmanship is beyond compare. He was awarded a Gold Medal at the Exhibition of Brussels and also the First Prize at the Instrument competition of the Saint Cecilia Academy of Rome in 1923. The varnish he uses is either of a gold yellow shade or gold red. Four different labels.
Karel Jalovec+
Ferrara, b. June 3, 1877, d. Jan. 5, 1928, son and perhaps pupil of Luigi Soffritti.
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