Pietro Antonio Dalla Costa

History

Pietro Antonio Dalla Costa (circa 1720-1768) was born in Alba and worked primarily in Treviso, Italy. According to John Dilworth in The Brompton’s Book of Violin & Bow Makers, he worked circa 1720-1768. However, Cecie Stainer in A Dictionary of Violin Makers states he worked in Treviso about 1740-1765. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart, notes that his name is also read as Dalla Caesta. Lütgendorff also suggests that he may have temporarily worked in Mantua and Venice, possibly before 1720 or after 1757. His name was frequently misused by forgers, which may account for the wide variation in dates associated with his work, as noted by Lütgendorff. Notably, Dilworth records that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart himself owned a Dalla Costa violin.

Craft

• Innovation: Unusually for makers of his time, Pietro Antonio Dalla Costa explicitly acknowledged the Amati Brothers on his labels. These labels stated that the instrument was either a copy of their work or made using their example, rather than implying he was a pupil, as other makers often did (Dilworth).
• Methods: A fine maker of the Venetian school, Dalla Costa produced Amatisé work, though Dilworth noted it was not as disciplined or highly finished as its Amati inspiration. His instruments were delicate in form and generally featured a low arch (Dilworth). He worked quite cleanly ("recht sauber"), according to Lütgendorff. Cecie Stainer further notes his adherence to the patterns of Antonio and Gerolamo Amati.
• Varnish: Sources present conflicting information regarding his varnish. Dilworth describes it as typical Venetian red varnish, applied fairly thinly. Lütgendorff praises his "magnificent reddish-brown varnish." In contrast, Cecie Stainer states he used yellow varnish of good quality.

Influence

• Schools/Tradition: Pietro Antonio Dalla Costa is identified as a fine maker of the Venetian school (Dilworth). He was an imitator of the Amati brothers, a fact he openly emphasized (Lütgendorff), and also of Stradivari (Lütgendorff).
• Notable Associations: Among his notable associations, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart famously owned a Dalla Costa violin (Dilworth).

Legacy

• Famous Owners: The illustrious composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a documented owner of a Dalla Costa violin (Dilworth).
• Modern Recognition: The frequent misuse of his name by forgers has significantly contributed to the wide-ranging and often contradictory dates found associated with his instruments, complicating precise historical timelines (Lütgendorff).

Further Information

• Technical Characteristics: Characteristic of his craft, Dalla Costa's instruments exhibited Amatisé features, distinguished by their delicate form and typically low arch (Dilworth). Lütgendorff also highlighted his notably clean workmanship.
• Historical Uncertainties: There are conflicting accounts of his working dates, with Dilworth stating circa 1720-1768, and Stainer giving about 1740-1765. The exact color of his varnish is also subject to differing descriptions: typical Venetian red (Dilworth), magnificent reddish-brown (Lütgendorff), and yellow of good quality (Stainer). His potential work in Mantua and Venice is noted as possibly temporary or outside his main working period (Lütgendorff). The misuse of his name by forgers further complicates the establishment of precise historical timelines (Lütgendorff).
• Notable Quotes: Examples of his labels, as recorded by John Dilworth:
  • "Pietro Antonio dalla Costa / fece in Treviso Anno 17.."
  • "Petrus Antonius a Costa fecit ad / similitudinem illorum quod fecerunt: / Antonius & Hieronymus Fratres Amati / Cremonenses, filii Andreae. Tarvisii, anno 1755" [Petrus Antonius a Costa made it in Treviso in the year 1755, in the likeness of those made by Antonius & Hieronymus Amati, Cremonese Brothers, sons of Andrea.]
  • "Pietro Antonio dalla Costa fece / in Treviso. Anno 1760 / Ad examplar Antonii & Hieronymus Amati Cremonensis" [Pietro Antonio Dalla Costa made this in Treviso in the year 1760, after the example of Antonius & Hieronymus Amati of Cremona]
  • "Petrus Antonius a Costa / fecit Tarvisii. anno 1760" [Petrus Antonius a Costa made this in Treviso in the year 1760]

Summary

Pietro Antonio Dalla Costa, born in Alba, was a notable violin maker of the Venetian school, active in Treviso from approximately 1720 to 1768, though specific dates vary between historical accounts. He was known for his "Amatisé" work, delicate forms, and generally low arching, following the patterns of the Amati brothers and also Stradivari. Uniquely, he explicitly acknowledged the Amati brothers on his labels. While sources laud his clean workmanship, there are conflicting descriptions of his varnish color (red, reddish-brown, or yellow). His historical standing is further complicated by the frequent misuse of his name by forgers. A significant detail of his legacy is that a Dalla Costa violin was once owned by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.