Amati > Makers Archive > C > Alfredo Contino

Alfredo Contino

Naples, b. 1890

before 1970 Naples Italy. Pupil of Vincenzo Postiglione from 1902, and succeeded to the business in 1916. Best known for his very exact copies of Gagliano family work. Completed over 300 violins, 15 violas, and 70 cellos. Usually treated with potassium bichromate ground, giving a greenish hue beneat\u{2026} — John Dilworth

Worked Naples
Made Cello, Violin

Auction Price History

Highest auction price

£32,940

41 results

Type Details Auction house Sold Price
ViolinLabelled Alfredus Contino Premiato al Concorso di Liuteria in Roma unico allievo di V. Postiglione ... Lot 177TarisioNovember 2023£19,038est. $ 20,000-30,000
ViolinLabelled Alfredus Contino, Premiato al Concorso di Liuteria in Roma, unico allievo di V. Postiglione ... Lot 124TarisioOctober 2023£21,963est. € 25.000-40.000
Violin Lot 100BonhamsOctober 2014£12,500
ViolinNaples, 1900 c. Attributed toSeptember 2011£4,800
Violin35.4 cm Naples, 1910 c.April 2011£11,251
Violin35.6 cm Naples, 1921March 2011£18,000
Violin35.5 cm Naples, 1944May 2008£12,572
Violin35.6 cm Naples, 1921April 2008£11,280
Violin35.3 cm Naples, 1914March 2008£23,400
Cello74.7 cm Naples, 1919October 2007£32,940
Violin35.5 cm Attributed toJuly 2007£1,290
Violin35.5 cm Naples, 1944May 2007£6,337
Violin35.6 cm Naples, 1928May 2007£10,369
Violin35.5 cm Naples, 1926December 2006£11,266
Violin35.7 cm Naples, 1924November 2006£9,600
Violin35.5 cm Attributed toJuly 2006£1,436
Violin35.8 cm Naples, 1922May 2006£13,490
Violin35.7 cm Naples, 1915 c. Workshop ofMay 2006£1,530
Violin35.5 cm Naples, 1921May 2006£12,013
ViolinNaples, 1928April 2005£6,893
Violin1921May 2004£13,262
ViolinNaples, 1920April 2004£12,118
Cello1952October 2003£21,510
Violin1920April 2003£10,830
Violin1925October 2002£11,368
Violin1929June 2002£8,304
Violin1917March 2002£18,900
Violin1930November 2001£7,979
Violin1926May 2001£7,640
Violin1930November 2000£5,810
Violin1921March 2000£8,625
Violin1921November 1999£13,800
Violin1908March 1999£9,000
Violin1920 c.June 1998£11,500
Violin1921November 1997£8,166
Violin1921May 1997£11,429
Violin1944May 1997£5,357
Violin1920December 1995£5,063
Violin1926June 1995£12,650
Violin1925November 1994£7,094
Violin1924June 1993£4,620

Biographies

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

John Dilworth+

CONTINO, Alfredo Born 1890, d. before 1970 Naples Italy. Pupil of Vincenzo Postiglione from 1902, and succeeded to the business in 1916. Best known for his very exact copies of Gagliano family work. Completed over 300 violins, 15 violas, and 70 cellos. Usually treated with potassium bichromate ground, giving a greenish hue beneath the varnish. Gold medal at Padua 1932. Branded ‘A.Contino Napoli’ on back button and lower rib. Also inscribed on interior of front with initials and drawn device known as the ‘Jettatura’. Alfredus Contino / Premiato al Concorso di Liuteria in Roma / unico allievo di V. Postiglione / Fecit Napoli anno 19.. Liuteria Italiana / Alfredo Contino / Costruttore di Strumenti ad Arco Napoli

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