Augusto Pollastri
Violin maker
(1877 – 1927)
One of the finest twentieth century Italian violin makers, Augusto Pollastri first worked as a messenger boy for Raffaele Fiorini and became a full-fledged apprentice around 1894. He quickly became one of the most skilled makers in the Fiorini workshop, and opened his own shop in the late 1890s. After early experimentation with Turinese and Brescian models, Pollastri arrived at a definitive personal model around 1906 that forms an integral to the Bolognese school style and is reminiscent of his teacher's work. Craftsmanship achieves a near-perfect level of execution, and varnish is of a lovely soft texture, usually a reddish-brown over a golden ground. Augusto's brother Gaetano worked alongside him, and the two brothers used various labels and brands that have made their way onto false copies of their work. A unique rooster brand went into use around 1910 and is stamped to the endpin, under the tailpiece, or to the inside back, and two labels were used, one in print referencing Augusto's teacher Fiorini, and another handwritten with the Bolognese coat of arms. After Augusto's death in 1927, Gaetano is known to have used the brand and the handwritten label for his independent instruments.
Price History
- The auction record for this maker is $82,600 in Mar 2024, for a violin.
- 19 auction price results.
View all auction prices for Augusto Pollastri
Pollastri family tree
Instruments
Violin -
1908
Bologna
Violin -
1909
Bologna
Violin -
1920
Bologna
Violin -
1922
Bologna
Violin -
1923
Bologna
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