Amati > Makers Archive > B > Lorenzo Bellafontana

Lorenzo Bellafontana

Genoa, 1906–1979

Violinist. Studied violin making with Oreste Candi. Established independently from 1935 in Pegli, Genoa, later moving to 8/9 via Davide Chiossone in the city itself. — John Dilworth

Worked Genoa
Made Bass Bow, Viola, Violin
Violin by Lorenzo Bellafontana, Genoa,  1966
Violin by Lorenzo Bellafontana. Sold by Amati — from the archive.

Instruments

Auction Price History

Highest auction price

£30,600

24 results

Type Details Auction house Sold Price
ViolinLabelled Laurentius Bellafontana fecit, Genuae anno domini 1966, signed to the label, branded Lot 102TarisioMay 2024£21,668est. € 20.000-30.000
ViolinLabelled Laurentius Bellafontana fecit, Genuae Anno Domini 1974, signed to the label, branded Lot 114TarisioOctober 2023£15,688est. € 15.000-22.000
ViolinLabelled Laurentius Bellafontana fecit, Genuae Anno Domini 1948, inscribed Costruito in misura ... Lot 62TarisioJuly 2020£13,210est. $ 15,000-22,000
ViolinLabelled with signature Laurentius Bellafontana fecit Genuae Anno Domini 1948, inscription on the label Lot 98Ingles & HaydayMarch 2018£10,800est. £ 10,000-20,000
ViolinLabelled Laurentius Bellafontana fecit, Genuae anno domini 1938, branded L. Bellafontana, Genova Lot 180TarisioJune 2016£27,140est. £ 25,000-40,000
CelloLabelled L. Bella Fontana, Genova Lot 56TarisioOctober 2015£30,600est. $ 40,000-60,000
ViolaLabelled Laurentius Bellafontana fecit, Genuae Anno Domini 1948, No. 10 Lot 78TarisioOctober 2015£4,279est. $ 8,000-12,000
CelloLabelled Laurentius Bellafontana fecit Genuae 1961 No. 52 L. Bellafontana Lot 114Christie'sNovember 2012£7,802est. $ 10,000-15,000
ViolinLabelled Laurentius Bellafontana, fecit Genuae Lot 316TarisioNovember 2012£14,231est. $ 8,000-12,000
Violin35.7 cm Genoa, 1976April 2010£8,439
Violin35.7 cm Genoa, 1976April 2009£7,620
Violin35.6 cm Gènes, 1966June 2008£6,963
Violin35.4 cm Genoa, 1967March 2008£6,435
Violin35.7 cm Genoa, 1956November 2006£11,400
Bass Bow156.5 g.May 2006£613
ViolinMay 2005£5,040
ViolinGenoa, 1959 Attributed toNovember 2004£14,340
Violin1959June 2002£10,568
Viola41.7 cm 1937December 2000£1,733
Violin1976March 1998£4,830
Violin1979June 1997£3,680
Violin1967November 1993£5,980
Violin1934March 1993£6,900
Violin1976October 1989£1,595

Biographies

The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

John Dilworth+

BELLAFONTANA, Lorenzo Born 1906, died 1979 Genoa Italy. Violinist. Studied violin making with Oreste Candi. Established independently from 1935 in Pegli, Genoa, later moving to 8/9 via Davide Chiossone in the city itself. This was bombed in the Second World War and in 1945 he opened a new workshop at 8/10 Piazza Paolo da Novi, moving again to via Paolo Giacometti, and finally at 10/2 Corso Torino. Appointed curator of Paganini’s 1743 Guarneri del Gesù ‘Cannone’ violin in 1967. Early work in the style of Candi, made in an external mould with linings in one piece across the corner blocks. His best more classically informed work comes from the period 1945-1950. Medals at various exhibitions including Cremona 1949. One of the leading members of the Ligurian school in the 20th century. Stradivari, Guarneri, and personal models. Rich red hard spirit varnish over golden ground. Also bow maker. Laurentius Bellafontana / Fecit Genuae / A.D. 19.. N.. Laurentius Bellafontana fecit / Genuae Anno Domini 1946 [Blot III]

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