US auction houses release sale results

Find out how Christie's, Skinner and Tarisio performed in April

Here are the headline sales figures and top five lots from the instrument auctions held by Christie's, Skinner and Tarisio auctions in April. All sale prices include buyer's premium.

Skinner
Fine Musical Instruments
Boston, 25 April

Top five lots

Lot 44
Italian violin, Pietro Guarneri, Venice, 1734
Estimate $30,000–$50,000
Sale price $165,900

Lot 84
Italian violin, G.B. Ceruti, Cremona, 1803
Estimate $80,000–$120,000
Sale price $118,500

Lot 79
Italian violin, Giovanni Grancino, Milan, c.1690
Estimate $90,000–$110,000
Sale price $106,650

Lot 85B
Italian violin, Nicola Gagliano, Naples, c.1735
Estimate $90,000–$120,000
Sale price $106,650

Lot 88
Northern Italian cello, Storioni School, c.1800
Estimate $120,000–$140,000
Sale price $94,800

Lots offered 353
Percentage of lots sold by lot 86%
Total value of lots sold $1,598,938

Christie's
Fine Musical Instruments
New York, 28 April

Top five lots

Lot 69
A viola by Gasparo da Salò, Brescia, c.1575
Estimate $250,000–$350,000
Sale price $542,500

Lot 159
A violin by G.B. Guadagnini, Milan, c.1753
Estimate $350,000–$450,000
Sale price $542,500

Lot 158
A violin by Carlo Giuseppe Testore, Milan, c.1701
Estimate $60,000–$80,000
Sale price $218,500

Lot 83
A silver–mounted violin bow by Dominique Peccatte, Paris, c.1845
Estimate $30,000–$50,000
Sale price $74,500

Lot 1
A violin by Simone Sacconi after the 'Lord Wilton' Guarneri 'del Gesù', New York, 1971
Estimate $60,000–$80,000
Sale price $68,500

Lots offered 158
Percentage of lots sold by lot 91%
Total value of lots sold $2,522,625

Tarisio
Fine Instruments and Bows
New York, 28–29 April

Top five lots

Lot 398
A fine Italian violin by Nicolò Amati, Cremona, c.1665–70
Estmate $275,000–$400,000
Sale price $329,600

Lot 397
A fine Italian violin by Francesco Ruggieri, Cremona, c.1680
Estimate $200,000–$300,000
Sale price $240,000

Lot 393
A fine Italian violin by David Tecchler, Rome, c.1720
Estimate $70,000–$100,000
Sale price $126,000

Lot 394
A fine and interesting violin ascribed to, and possibly by Giuseppe Rocca, Turin, c.1832
Estimate $80,000–$120,000
Sale price $126,000

Lot 395
A fine French violin by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, Paris, c.1844
Estimate $100,000–$150,000
Sale price $120,000

Lots offered 391
Percentage of lots sold by lot 94.1%
Total value of lots sold $4,479,800

US auction houses release sale results

COMMENTS (1) Add Your Comment

Every issue of "The Strad" contains one or more articles about Italian Violins. You know, excellent violins but not as "good" ones have made elsewhere in the Italian tradition or otherwise. I happen to own a wonderful French violin made in Lyons in the 1830s. How about an article in depth about Mirecourt and other centers in France and their makers for a change?

Arthur S. Kunin, M.D. ( 07 May 2010)

Add your comments
Your Name:
Town and Country:
Your comments:

A subscription to The Strad magazine gets you closer to the best players, the finest instruments, and the most famous makers every month. If you're serious about strings, you need The Strad. Click here to subscribe.

Missed an issue of The Strad? Don't worry, you can also order back issues. Click here to order.

The Strad Library has a comprehensive selection of specialist books, DVDs and CDs for luthiers, players, teachers and students. Click here to visit the Library.

No related articles at this time