Back to auction
30:

A VIOLA BY OTELLO BIGNAMI, BOLOGNA, 1982

30: A VIOLA BY OTELLO BIGNAMI, BOLOGNA, 1982


Labeled, "Otello Bignami Allievo G. Pollastri 1 premio 3 concorso nazionale di S. Cecilia fece in Bologna 1982 a Wilma." Signed to the label.

Branded to the inside back, upper block, lower rib, and twice to the lower block. Branded and inlaid to the button. 

LOB: 41.0 cm

Made in Bologna in 1982, this viola comes directly from the heirs of Otello Bignami himself. Bignami trained under Gaetano Pollastri from around 1952 and later founded his own violin-making school in Bologna in 1979, teaching there until 1983. It survives in excellent condition, with plentiful varnish in his characteristic orange-red, it represents the Bolognese school at its most characteristic, blending his personal model and inspiration from his time spent working under Pollastri. This viola measures at an ideal 41.0 cm, offering comfort and playability for musicians.
  • Proforma Certificate: Jason Price, New York, NY (Sep 16 2026)
  • Dendrochronology report: Sondre Lie, Oslo (Sep 10 2026) Dates the latest ring of the bass and treble side as 1949 and 1952, respectively.

View Documents


Ending on Oct 1 at
2:45 PM Berlin / 1:45 PM London / 8:45 AM New York

Estimate: €30,000–50,000

Bidding opens Sep 22, 2026 11:00 AM CEST

★ WATCH ITEM

Forgot your password?

VAT symbols on Description:

Ω - TI - non-antique - additional 19% import VAT charged on the hammer
‡ - TI - antique - additional 19% import VAT charged on the hammer
† - Normal VAT rules - 19% VAT charged on hammer and premium
No Symbol - Margin Scheme - 19% VAT-in-lieu charged on the premium (except when exported within 3 months)

VAT refunds are available for export sales

Click here for more information

Ask a question about this lot

You must be logged in to ask a question about this lot. Click here to login.

Request a condition report for this lot

You must be logged in to request a condition report. Click here to login.