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20:

A CELLO BY ANNIBALE FAGNOLA, TURIN, 1933 Ω

20: A CELLO BY ANNIBALE FAGNOLA, TURIN, 1933 Ω


Labeled, "Hannibal Fagnola fecit Taurini anno Domini 1933." Signed to the label.

Inscribed to the inside upper bass side rib, "Annibale Fagnola Fecit Torino 1933." Customs seal tied to peg box embossed, "...Uffici Di Torin..." 

LOB: 75.5 cm

This exceptionally fine and well-preserved Italian cello was made by the highly collectible maker Annibale Fagnola in Turin in 1933. It features a striking, two-piece maple back with wide, attractive flame. The cello is in near-perfect condition, truly remarkable for an instrument of this age. Its superb preservation is largely due to remaining within the same family for the better part of the 20th century. A small lead seal, affixed to the scroll and bearing the partially legible inscription "...Uffici Di Torino...", underscores its historical authenticity and untouched purity. This seal appears to have been added at the time of the item's export from Turin.

The sound is as impressive as the appearance, offering predictable precision, clarity, warmth, and depth. It speaks easily and projects substantially, suitable for solo and ensemble work. It bears the maker’s signed label and his characteristic signature to the upper bass rib, “Annibale Fagnola Fecit Torino 1933.”


  • Proforma Certificate: Jason Price, New York, NY (Mar 13 2026)
  • Dendrochronology report: Sondre Lie, Oslo (Jul 10 2025) Dates the latest ring of the bass and treble side as 1898 and 1900, respectively.

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Ending on Mar 30 at
1:27 PM London / 2:27 PM Berlin / 8:27 AM New York

Estimate: £120,000–180,000

Bidding opens Mar 19, 2026 11:00 AM GMT

★ WATCH ITEM

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VAT symbols on Description:

Ω - TI - non-antique - additional 20% import VAT and 2% duty charged on the hammer
‡ - TI - antique - additional 5% import VAT charged on the hammer
† - Normal VAT rules - 20% VAT charged on hammer and premium
No Symbol - Auctioneer's Margin Scheme - 20% VAT-in-lieu charged on the premium (except when exported within 3 months)

VAT refunds are available for export sales

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