Giulio Ettore Degani
Cincinnati, Montagnana, Venice, 1875–1959
Giulio Ettore Degani (1875-1959) was an Italian luthier, son and pupil of Eugenio Degani. He took over the family business in Venice after his father's death in 1901. Emigrating to the USA around 1915, he worked for Wurlitzer in New York and Cincinnati before establishing his own business in Cincinnati in 1924. Despite facing significant challenges, including a flood that destroyed his tools, he was recognized as an important maker of the modern Italian school, earning a gold medal in Turin in 1911 and a diploma in Milan in 1909. His work, characterized by a more classical form and fine varnishes in his early career, later incorporated commercial parts and varnishes.
Instruments
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
49 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Labelled Degani Giulio di Eugenio premiato con gran diploma d'onore in ..., upper ribs possibly replaced Lot 107 | Tarisio | March 2024 | £39,857est. $ 25,000-40,000 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Possibly Italian, early 20th C. Attributed to | — | November 2011 | £3,759 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Venice, 1911 | — | November 2011 | £22,555 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Venice, 1892 | — | October 2010 | £21,000 |
| Cello | 75.4 cm Venice, 1921 | — | October 2010 | £61,250 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Attributed to | — | June 2010 | £11,400 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Cincinnati, 1942 | — | April 2010 | £5,499 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Probably Cincinnati, 1920 c. Probably by | — | April 2010 | £13,355 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Venice, 1909 | — | April 2010 | £17,645 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Venice, 1930 c. | — | April 2010 | £13,809 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Venice, 1899 | — | March 2010 | £21,600 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Venice, 1899 | — | December 2009 | £21,600 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Venice, 1893 | — | October 2009 | £18,537 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Venice, 1889 | — | October 2009 | £15,300 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Venice, 1894 (restorations) | — | October 2009 | £19,200 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Venice, 1918 | — | March 2009 | £10,800 |
| Violin | 36.6 cm Venice, 1911 | — | March 2009 | £10,000 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Venice, 1896 | — | June 2008 | £16,302 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Venice, 1896 | — | March 2008 | £29,300 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Venice 1899 | — | March 2008 | £14,400 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Ascribed to | — | October 2007 | £6,283 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Venice, 1913 | — | March 2007 | £18,400 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Venice, 1898 | — | March 2007 | £20,700 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Venice, 1903 | — | November 2006 | £18,044 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Venice, 1900 c. | — | November 2006 | £21,051 |
| Violin | Venice, 1900 | — | June 2005 | £21,332 |
| Violin | Venice, 1907 | — | June 2005 | £7,647 |
| Violin | Venice, 1910 | — | July 2004 | £15,535 |
| Violin | Venice, 1930 c. Probably by | — | May 2004 | £5,637 |
| Violin | 1903 | — | October 2003 | £15,635 |
| Violin | 1898 | — | November 2002 | £10,575 |
| Violin | 1899 | — | September 2001 | £15,950 |
| Violin | 1895 | — | September 2001 | £14,375 |
| Violin | 1893 | — | November 2000 | £9,200 |
| Violin | 1914 | — | November 2000 | £12,394 |
| Violin | 1898 | — | November 2000 | £19,550 |
| Violin | 1892 | — | June 2000 | £12,650 |
| Violin | 1915 | — | May 2000 | £13,333 |
| Violin | 1893 | — | March 2000 | £13,822 |
| Violin | 1895 | — | November 1998 | £14,375 |
| Violin | 1894 | — | November 1998 | £12,650 |
| Violin | 1915 | — | October 1998 | £6,555 |
| Violin | 1907 | — | April 1998 | £10,350 |
| Violin | 1919 | — | May 1997 | £3,214 |
| Violin | 1897 | — | November 1996 | £18,400 |
| Violin | 1907 | — | November 1995 | £10,925 |
| Viola | 39.4 cm 19-- | — | November 1989 | £6,600 |
| Cello | 1899 | — | June 1988 | £11,000 |
| Violin | 18-- | — | July 1985 | £4,536 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Giulio Ettore Degani (1875-1959) was born in Montagnana, Italy, in 1875 and passed away in Cincinnati, USA, in 1959. He was the son and pupil of Eugenio Degani. Giulio Ettore Degani worked alongside Giovanni Schwarz and Ettore Siega in the family atelier, which was known as 'Degani e figlio' from 1898, with Giulio taking overall charge. He assumed full control of the business after his father's death in 1901. Around 1915, he emigrated to the USA, initially working for Wurlitzer in New York. In 1918, he moved to Wurlitzer's Cincinnati workshop, but he departed in 1924 to establish his own business in the same city. From this point onward, he encountered numerous setbacks. For two years, he worked in New York with Jago Peternella under challenging conditions. He relocated to Atlantic City in 1934 but was unable to establish himself there, and a flood subsequently destroyed much of his tools and equipment. The following year, he returned to Cincinnati, where he worked in meager circumstances until he was compelled to close his business in 1952. For a few more years, he supported himself with unskilled labor. He never took on any pupils and worked unaided throughout his life.
Characteristics
- Style
- Giulio Ettore Degani's work is generally considered less mannered than his father's, following a more classical form.
- Varnish
- In his early years, he utilized a fine clear golden- or red-brown varnish.
- Materials
- After approximately 1940, he increasingly incorporated pre-formed parts imported from German factories and employed cheap commercial varnishes.
- Labels
- His labels are not chronologically reliable, as he used stocks of various pre-printed forms in an almost random order. When working in America, he often emphasized his Venetian origin. On occasion, he used a manuscript label belonging to his grandfather, Domenico. Examples of his labels include: 'Giulio Degani / Liutaio S. Fosca 2418, Venezia'; 'Degani Giulio di Eugenio / Fece in Venezia anno 189..'; and 'Degani Giulio di Eugenio / premiato con gran diploma d’onore in Milano / e medaglia d’oro in Torino / Anno 19.. / Fece in Venezia'.
- Giulio Degani
Liutaio S. Fosca 2418, Venezia. Degani Giulio di Eugenio
Fece in Venezia anno 189..John Dilworth - Degani Giulio di Eugenio
premiato con gran diploma d’onore in Milano
e medaglia d’oro in Torino
Anno 19..
Fece in VeneziaJohn Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Training: Giulio Ettore Degani was a pupil of his father, Eugenio Degani.
- Collaborators: He worked alongside Giovanni Schwarz and Ettore Siega in the family workshop.
- Tradition:, he worked in the style of his father.
- Awards: He was awarded a gold medal in Turin in 1911 and a diploma in Milan in 1909.
- Recognition: He is regarded as an important maker of the modern Italian school.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
DEGANI, Giulio Ettore Born 1875 Montagnana, Italy, died 1959 Cincinnati USA. Son and pupil of Eugenio Degani, above. Worked alongside Giovanni Schwarz and Ettore Siega in the family atelier, known as ‘Degani e figlio’ from 1898, with Giulio taking overall charge. Took over the business entirely after the death of his father in 1901. Emigrated to the USA c.1915, working initially for Wurlitzer in New York. Moved to the firm’s Cincinnati workshop in 1918, but left to start his own business in the same city in 1924. From this point on, he suffered many reverses. For two years he worked in New York with Jago Peternella in difficult conditions. Moved in 1934 to Atlantic City, but was unable to establish himself. A flood destroyed much of his tools and equipment. The following year he returned to Cincinnati, working in meagre circumstances until forced to close in 1952. For a few years more he sustained himself with unskilled labour. He never took any pupils himself and worked unaided all his life. Awarded gold medal in Turin 1911 and diploma in Milan 1909. An important maker of the modern Italian school. Generally less mannered work than his father, following a more classical form with fine clear golden- or red-brown varnish in early years. After c.1940 he made increasing use of pre-formed parts imported from German factories and cheap commercial varnishes. His labels are not chronologically reliable. He used stocks of various pre-printed forms in almost random order, emphasising his Venetian origin when working in America. Used a manuscript label of his grandfather Domenico on occasion. Giulio Degani / Liutaio S. Fosca 2418, Venezia. Degani Giulio di Eugenio / Fece in Venezia anno 189.. Degani Giulio di Eugenio / premiato con gran diploma d’onore in Milano / e medaglia d’oro in Torino / Anno 19.. / Fece in Venezia [Rosengard]
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Schüler seines Vaters, (dessen Geschäftstheilhaber er jetzt ist. Er arbeitet
im Stile seines Vaters.
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