$121,500 For Violoncello At Skinner's

Skinner's auction of fine musical instruments was its largest music sale to date. It was a decidedly solid sale, with more than 90 percent of lots sold, and gross receipts of $1.5 million, including 12 record prices at auction achieved for recognized makers of violins and bows. Crowning the selection was an exceptionally fine violoncello made in 1817 by Giacomo Rivolta, an instrument reputed to have been built on Stradivaris's own "B-Pattern" mold.

Known best for his fine 'cellos, Rivolta later won gold medals at competitions for his work and claimed to have been responsible for the resurgence of the celebrated "Stradivari School" of violin making. The dark amber color and soft texture of the varnish on this 'cello was particularly fine, enhanced with the patina of age. The piece reached well beyond expectations, selling to the trade for a record $121,500. All prices reflect a buyer's premium of 171/2 percent to $80,000 and 10 percent for items over that figure.

Fretted instruments led off in the sale, which totaled 435 lots. Outstanding were two Gibson F-5 mandolins, both dated and signed by Lloyd Loar on March 31, 1924, selling for $94,000 and $105,000. A well-played and very fine Martin OM-28 from 1933 brought $18,800, and a vintage Fender Telecaster from 1952 brought $32,900, with its original "thermometer" shaped case with "poodle" interior, original shoulder strap and set of instructions.

Although most items went to the trade, musicians showed much interest in the lots that were in ready playing condition. These included an Italian violin by Giovanni Tononi, Bologna, circa 1700 that sold for $47,000, with a 1945 certificate of Rembert Wurlitzer; and a violin by Vincenzo Sannino, Naples, 1903, that also went for $47,000 (a new world record for this maker), with the certificate of Dario D'Attili.

Department director David Bonsey said, "The Sannino violin is probably the nicest one by this maker that we will ever see, with a superb golden red varnish in the 'antique style,' painstakingly done, but without any heavy-handedness." In near-mint condition, with a very solid core of sound, and strong in all registers, it sold itself to a professional violinist from the Boston area.

Selling for a record $18,800 was a viola by George Chanot, Paris, 1850, one of the foremost French makers in the style after Stradivari, a very clean example with an "antiqued" varnish, in near mint condition, with a powerful carrying tone that belied its comfortable size of just over 151/2 inches. Additional record prices were achieved by a violin by Ernesto Pevere, Ferrara, 1929, that sold for $18,800, and a violin by Paulus Pilat, New York, 1927, that fetched $11,750.

Other noteworthy stringed instruments included a violin attributed to the Parisian workshop of J.B. Vuillaume, circa 1830 that lived up to its attribution and brought $58,750, and a viola by Ansaldo Poggi, Bologna, 1976, in mint condition, from the original owner who commissioned it, sold for $47,000. An extremely fine violin bow by Domenique Peccatte, researched and paired with a contemporary certification from Bernard Millant of Paris, sold with a later replacement frog for $28,200.

Consignments are currently being accepted for Skinner's next auction of fine musical instruments, which will be held in the fall. Prices realized at the May sale are available at www.skinnerinc.com.

For more information, call 617-350-5400, or visit www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids and order catalogs.