Gaetano Gadda
Mantua, 1900–1956
Gaetano Gadda (1900-1956) was a significant 20th-century Italian violin maker, born in Sorga, Verona, and active in Mantua. He was a pupil and successor to S. Scarampella, known for his prolific output and use of various models including Scarampella's, Stradivari, Guarneri, Amati, and Balestrieri for cellos, often finished with a distinctive golden-orange or red clear varnish.
Instruments
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
75 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | A violin by Gaetano Gadda, Mantua, 1952 Lot 113 | Amati | March 2025 | £16,432est. £ 10,000-15,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, premiato con Medaglia d'Oro, Allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 125 | Tarisio | March 2025 | £27,342est. $ 30,000-50,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Stefano Scarampella di Brescia, Premiato con Medaglie d'Argento, Fratello ed Allievo del ... Lot 166 | Tarisio | October 2024 | £29,594est. € 30.000-50.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Stefano Scarampella di Brescia, Premiato con medaglie d'argento, Fratello ed allievo del ... Lot 89 | Tarisio | October 2024 | £22,800est. £ 18,000-25,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Stefano Scarampella di Brescia premiato con medaglie d'argento fratello ed allievo del ... Lot 141 | Tarisio | May 2024 | £22,239est. $ 30,000-50,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Stefano Scarampella di Brescia Premiato con Medaglie D'Argento Fratello ed Allievo del ... Lot 188 | Tarisio | November 2023 | £32,269est. $ 40,000-60,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova premiato con medaglia d'Oro Allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 99 | Tarisio | June 2023 | £41,001est. $ 35,000-50,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Stefano Scarampella di Brescia Premiato con Medaglie d'Argento Fratello ed allievo del ... Lot 189 | Ingles & Hayday | November 2022 | £20,400est. £ 15,000-20,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Stefano Scarampella di Brescia premiato con medaglie d'argento fratello ed allievo del ... Lot 136 | Tarisio | March 2022 | £19,840est. $ 25,000-40,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, Allievo di Stefano Scarampella, fece in Mantova, anno 1928 Lot 140 | Tarisio | October 2021 | £34,930est. € 35.000-50.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova premiato con Medaglia d'Oro Allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 130 | Tarisio | July 2021 | £32,602est. $ 35,000-55,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, premiato con Medaglia d'Oro, Allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 169 | Ingles & Hayday | June 2021 | £24,000est. £ 18,000-25,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova premiato con Medaglia d'Oro Allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 225 | Brompton’s | October 2020 | £36,000est. £ 30,000-40,000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's original label, branded GG at the upper button, two-piece back Lot 24 | Kestenbaum | November 2019 | £10,200est. $ 8,000-12,000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label and signature, branded G.G. Lot 70 | Vichy | December 2018 | £43,827est. € 18.000-20.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Stefano Scarampella di Brescia, Premiato con Medaglie d'Argento, Fratello ed Allievo del ... Lot 192 | Tarisio | March 2016 | £30,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, premiato con Medaglia d'Oro, Allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 171 | Tarisio | November 2015 | £28,800est. £ 25,000-40,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 233 | Tarisio | October 2015 | £16,337est. $ 25,000-40,000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label Lot 29 | Skinners | November 2013 | £14,827est. $ 30,000-40,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, allievo di Stefano Scarampella, fece in Mantova, anno 1949 Lot 206 | Tarisio | June 2013 | £21,600est. £ 20,000-30,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, Allievo di Stefano Scarampella, fece in Mantova, anno 1935 Lot 239 | Tarisio | May 2013 | £25,045est. $ 25,000-40,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova premiato con medaglia d'Oro Allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 106 | Brompton’s | October 2012 | £28,800est. £ 15,000-20,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Stefano Scarampella di Brescia ... Fece in Mantua anno 1900 Lot 271 | Brompton’s | October 2012 | £30,000est. £ 25,000-35,000 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Probably "Gadda" workshop | — | November 2011 | £24,434 |
| Cello | S/E 75.6 g. Mid 20th C. | — | March 2011 | £20,400 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm 1930 c. Ascribed to & possibly by | — | October 2010 | £9,013 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mantova, 1927 | — | October 2009 | £21,600 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mantua, 1930 c. | — | October 2009 | £12,000 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Mantua, 1930 c. | — | May 2009 | £19,410 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mantova, 1928 c. | — | April 2009 | £35,559 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Ascribed to | — | March 2009 | £10,530 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mantua, 1951 | — | October 2008 | £21,692 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mantua, mid-20th C. Probably by | — | March 2008 | £10,625 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Mantua, mid-20th C. Probably by | — | March 2008 | £11,250 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mantua Workshop of | — | July 2007 | £3,925 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm 1920 c. | — | November 2006 | £20,496 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm 1935 c. Attributed to | — | October 2006 | £11,034 |
| Cello Bow | 74.8 cm Mantura, mid-20th C. | — | July 2006 | £7,200 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Mantua, mid-20th C. | — | July 2006 | £4,560 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Mantua, 1925 c. | — | May 2006 | £19,928 |
| Cello | Mantua, 1934 | — | November 2005 | £7,895 |
| Cello | Mantua, 1935 | — | November 2005 | £7,895 |
| Violin | Mantua, 1940 c. | — | November 2005 | £6,316 |
| Cello | Mantua, 1934 | — | May 2005 | £14,531 |
| Violin | Mantua, 1951 | — | May 2005 | £11,705 |
| Violin | Mantua, 1958 | — | May 2005 | £8,073 |
| Violin | Mantua, 1950 c. | — | May 2005 | £7,937 |
| Viola | 41.9 cm Mantua, 1941 | — | April 2005 | £11,279 |
| Violin | Mantua, 1930 c. | — | April 2005 | £25,064 |
| Cello | Mantua, 1932 | — | May 2004 | £25,861 |
| Violin | Mantua, c. 1960 Workshop | — | March 2004 | £4,560 |
| Violin | 1932 | — | May 2003 | £14,720 |
| Viola | 1919 | — | March 2003 | £13,200 |
| Violin | 1945 | — | June 2002 | £18,872 |
| Violin | 1950 | — | June 2002 | £18,117 |
| Violin | 1925 | — | November 2001 | £11,750 |
| Violin | 1935 c. | — | May 1999 | £6,684 |
| Cello | 1963 | — | June 1998 | £14,530 |
| Violin | 1932 | — | March 1997 | £9,200 |
| Violin | 1918 | — | March 1996 | £12,650 |
| Viola | 43.2 cm 1926 | — | March 1995 | £9,200 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | June 1990 | £6,600 |
| Viola | 40.8 cm 1953 | — | March 1990 | £2,970 |
| Violin | 1948 | — | November 1989 | £5,500 |
| Violin | 1948 | — | March 1989 | £1,760 |
| Violin | 1943 | — | November 1988 | £3,850 |
| Violin | 1925 | — | June 1988 | £6,600 |
| Violin | 1935 | — | March 1988 | £4,620 |
| Violin | 1920 | — | March 1988 | £3,740 |
| Violin | 1943 | — | November 1987 | £4,620 |
| Violin | 1938 | — | November 1985 | £5,060 |
| Violin | 1930-40 | — | December 1984 | £4,622 |
| Violin | 1940 | — | October 1984 | £4,224 |
| Violin | 1930 | — | January 1984 | £1,833 |
| Violin | 1946 | — | June 1983 | £3,214 |
No results match those filters.
Maker Overview
Life
Gaetano Gadda (1900-1956) was born in 1900 in Sorga, Verona, and passed away in 1956 in Mantua, Italy. He began as a pupil and assistant to S. Scarampella in Mantua from 1919, eventually becoming his successor following Scarampella's death in 1925. Gadda is recognized as an important and influential maker within the 20th-century Italian school, known for his prolific production.
Characteristics
- Patterns and Models
- Gaetano Gadda frequently worked on Scarampella's patterns, with some instruments even being relabeled and sold as genuine Scarampellas. He also utilized Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati models, and specifically the Balestrieri model for his cellos.
- Varnish
- His instruments are characterized by a fine golden-orange or red clear varnish.
- Branding
- Some of Gadda's instruments were branded on the back button with the initials 'GG'.
- Label Inscription
- An example of his label reads: "Gaetano Gadda di Mantova / premiato con Medaglia d'Oro / Allievo di Stefano Scarampella / Fece in Mantova. anno 1925".
- Gaetano Gadda di Mantova
premiato con Medaglia d’Oro
Allievo di Stefano Scarampella
Fece in Mantova. anno 1925John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Gaetano Gadda received his training and mentorship as a pupil and assistant to S. Scarampella in Mantua, beginning in 1919.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
GADDA, Gaetano Born 1900 Sorga, Verona, died 1956 Mantua Italy. Pupil and assistant of S. Scarampella in Mantua from 1919, his successor following his death in 1925. Important and influential maker of the 20th century Italian school. Prolific production, working on Scarampella’s patterns (these often relabelled and sold as genuine Scarampellas). Also used Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati models. Balestrieri model for cellos. Fine golden-orange or red clear varnish. Some branded on back button ‘GG’. Gaetano Gadda di Mantova / premiato con Medaglia d’Oro / Allievo di Stefano Scarampella / Fece in Mantova. anno 1925
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