Annibale Fagnola

History

Annibale Fagnola (1865-1939) was born in Montiglio, Italy, in 1865 and died in Turin in 1939. He was active in Turin from 1894, establishing himself independently from 1899 at 3 vicolo Scuderie Reali. Fagnola was a very prolific maker, specializing in copies of instruments by Pressenda, Rocca, and Guadagnini. His work was imported to London in considerable numbers from about 1905, and his instruments appeared regularly in salerooms after World War I. According to Alfred Hill, who reported in 1926, he had been offered about 15 "Pressendas" several years earlier by a dealer in Turin, only later realizing they were new and almost certainly by Fagnola. Fagnola himself generally inserted a label of his own alongside a facsimile of the original, though these have often been interfered with subsequently. His instruments are usually signed on the interior.

Craft

• Specialization: Annibale Fagnola specialized in creating copies of instruments by renowned makers such as Pressenda, Rocca, and Guadagnini.
• Technique: Coming from the same tradition as the makers he imitated, Fagnola was able to utilize similar materials and techniques, making it difficult for many experts and dealers to distinguish between his copies and the originals.
• Varnish: His instruments feature a fine golden orange to red hued varnish.

Influence

• Training: Annibale Fagnola was a pupil of M. Rinaldi.
• Assistants: Some anonymous copies of Fagnola's instruments that appeared in the late 20th century were possibly the work of a late pupil and assistant, Angelo Fasciolo.

Legacy

• Market Value: Ironically, since Fagnola's work has become valued in itself, many anonymous copies of his instruments began to appear in the late 20th century.
• Market Presence: His work was imported to London in considerable numbers from about 1905, appearing regularly in salerooms after World War I.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: Annibale Fagnola established his independent workshop from 1899 at 3 vicolo Scuderie Reali in Turin.
• Labeling: Fagnola generally inserted a label of his own alongside a facsimile of the original, and his instruments are usually signed on the interior. Examples of his labels include "Annibale Fagnola / fece Turino 1902" and "Hannibal Fagnola, fecit / Taurini anno Domini 1904".

Summary

Annibale Fagnola (1865-1939) was a prolific Italian luthier active in Turin from 1894, known for his exceptional copies of instruments by Pressenda, Rocca, and Guadagnini. A pupil of M. Rinaldi, Fagnola's skill in replicating the materials and techniques of original masters made his copies difficult to distinguish from the originals, even for experts. His instruments, often featuring a fine golden orange to red hued varnish, were imported to London and regularly appeared in salerooms. He typically included his own label alongside a facsimile of the original and signed his instruments on the interior.