Armando Altavilla

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£20,064

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin	Labelled Fabrica di Violini, ed altri strumenti armonici dei Fratelli, Raffaele ed An-, Gagliano Napoli ...	October 2024	£20,064
Violin	Labelled Armando Altavilla, fecit Neapoli anno 1936 copia G. Gagliano	October 2024	£12,000
Violin	35.0 cm Naples	October 2011	£9,000
Violin	35.9 cm Naples, 1954 [Probably by]	May 2011	£4,006
Violin	35.4 cm Naples , 1945	October 2010	£15,000
Violin	35.6 cm Naples, 1930 c.	March 2010	£12,500
Violin	35.5 cm Naples, 1938	October 2009	£10,000
Violin	35.3 cm Naples, 1915 c. [Ascribed to "Vincenzo Sannino"]	May 2009	£7,764
Violin	35.7 cm Naples, 1930 c.	March 2009	£12,285
Violin	35.7 cm Naples, 1930 c.	March 2007	£7,763
Violin	35.5 cm Naples, 1938	February 2006	£10,800
Violin	Naples, 1952	November 2005	£7,200
Violin	Napoli, 1900	June 2005	£3,220
Violin	Neapel, 1910	May 2005	£16,952
Viola	Neaples 1950	November 2004	£7,067
Violin	Neaples 1951	November 2004	£8,314
Violin	1930	March 1999	£5,520
Violin	1930	November 1998	£2,760
Violin	1950 c.	June 1997	£8,050
Violin	1923	May 1996	£6,013
Violin	1954	June 1995	£2,415
Violin	1900	December 1994	£3,686
Violin	1925	June 1994	£5,750
Violin	19--	November 1986	£2,640
Violin	1915	February 1982	£4,162

Maker Overview

History

Armando Altavilla (1876-after 1966) was born in 1876 and died after 1966 in Naples, Italy. According to The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers by John Dilworth, he was a student of F. Verzella, who himself was a pupil of Antonio Gagliano (II).

Craft

Workmanship: Armando Altavilla produced fine workmanship, described as "very persuasive work".
Style: His instruments were crafted in the Gagliano style.
Materials: He utilized good materials in his construction.
Varnish: He applied a fine golden-orange varnish, which frequently exhibited a crackled texture.

Influence

Mentorship: Armando Altavilla was a student of F. Verzella.
Lineage: His teacher, F. Verzella, was a pupil of Antonio Gagliano (II).

Summary

Armando Altavilla (1876-after 1966) was a luthier from Naples, Italy, known for his fine workmanship in the Gagliano style. He was a student of F. Verzella and utilized good materials, applying a distinctive golden-orange varnish that often featured a crackled texture.

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Biographies

John Dilworth

ALTAVILLA, Armando Born 1876, d. after 1966 Naples Italy. Student of F. Verzella, himself a pupil of Antonio Gagliano (II). Fine workmanship in the Gagliano style. Very persuasive work. Good materials. Fine golden-orange varnish, frequently with a crackled texture.