Tomasso Balestrieri

Highest auction price achieved
£ 262196.00

By George Hart

Said to have been a pupil of Stradivari, which is probable. The instruments of Balestrieri may be likened to those of Stradivari which were made during the last few years of his life, 1730—1737. The form of both is similar, and the ruggedness observable in the latter instruments is found, but in a more marked degree, in those of Balestrieri. These remarks, however, must not be considered to suggest that comparison can fairly be made between these two makers in point of merit, but merely to point out a general rough resemblance in the character of their works. The absence of finish in the instruments of Tommaso Balestrieri is in a measure compensated by the presence of a style full of vigour. The wood which he used varies very much. A few Violins are handsome, but the majority are decidedly plain. The bellies were evidently selected with judgment, and have the necessary qualities for the production of good tone. The varnish seems to have been of two kinds, one resembling that of Guadagnini, the other, softer and richer in colour. The tone may be described as large and very telling, and when the instrument has had much use there is a richness by no means common. It is singular that these instruments are more valued in Italy than they are either in England or France. They are, however, fast rising in the estimation of competent judges in the last-mentioned countries, not so much from an artistic point of view as from their peculiarly telling qualities.

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Price History

Type Title Sold Price
Violin 17-- Fri 1st June 84 £ 31693.00
Viola 39.7 cm 1760 c. Fri 1st June 84 £ 22638.00
Violin 1750 Thu 1st April 82 £ 10450.00
Violin 1763 Mon 1st March 82 £ 9167.00
Violin 35.7 cm 1750 c. (later scroll) [Ascribed to] Thu 1st October 09 £ 89885.00
Violin 35.0 cm Mantua, 1760 c. Sun 1st June 08 £ 40800.00
Violin 35.4 cm Mantua, 1760 c. Sat 1st March 08 £ 76050.00
Violin 35.2 cm Mantua, 1760 c. (top probably by his pupil "Giofreddo Cappa") Tue 1st May 07 £ 15842.00
Viola 41.0 cm Mantua, 1774 Sun 1st October 06 £ 262196.00
Violin 35.1 cm Mantua, 1785 Wed 1st February 06 £ 232000.00
Violin Mantua, 1781 Tue 1st November 05 £ 134215.00
Violin Mantua, 1764 Tue 1st November 05 £ 60000.00
Violin Mantua, 1759 Fri 1st October 04 £ 49138.00
Violin 1760 c. Sat 1st March 03 £ 89600.00
Violin 1771 Sun 1st December 02 £ 55996.00
Violin 1767 Fri 1st November 02 £ 106192.00
Violin 1760 Tue 1st May 01 £ 23404.00
Violin 1767 Mon 1st May 00 £ 66000.00
Violin 1788 Sun 1st June 97 £ 69700.00
Violin 17-- Thu 1st June 95 £ 78500.00
Violin 1788 Tue 1st November 94 £ 84000.00
Violin 1765 c. Mon 1st November 93 £ 41100.00
Violin 1760 c. Sun 1st March 92 £ 52800.00
Violin 1768 Fri 1st June 90 £ 25300.00
Violin 1778 Thu 1st March 90 £ 93500.00
Violin 17-- Thu 1st June 89 £ 66000.00
Violin 1750 c. Sun 1st November 87 £ 26400.00
Violin 1761 Fri 1st November 85 £ 30800.00
Violin 1771 Sat 1st June 85 £ 37840.00

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