Mario Gadda
Cremona, Mantua, 1931–2008
Mario Gadda (1931-2008) was an Italian luthier from Mantua, the son and pupil of Gaetano Gadda. He was a prolific maker, known for working to various patterns and specializing in copies of Balestrieri and Scarampella instruments.
Worked
Cremona, Mantua
Made
Cello, Viola, Violin
Family
Son of Gaetano Gadda
Instruments
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
£22,800
139 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viola | Labelled Mario Gadda di Mantova, figlio ed allievo di Gaetano, Fece in Mantova, anno 1987, branded Lot 34 | Tarisio | November 2025 | £6,337est. $ 7,000-10,000 |
| Viola | Labelled Mario Gadda Anno 1994 Fece in Mantova, signed to the label, inscribed Modello personale Lot 28 | Tarisio | September 2025 | £12,363est. € 12.000-18.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, premiato con medaglia d'oro, allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 152 | Tarisio | October 2024 | £15,048est. € 15.000-22.000 |
| Cello | Labelled Mario Gadda di Mantova, figlio ed allievo di Gaetano, Fece in Mantova l'anno 1963 ... Lot 94 | Ingles & H. | October 2024 | £22,800est. £ 20,000-30,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, fece in Mantova, anno 1970, signed to the label, branded M. Gadda Mantova Lot 84 | Tarisio | May 2024 | £5,675est. € 6.000-9.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, fece in Mantova, anno 1983, modello Ansaldo Poggi, signed Mario Gadda Lot 85 | Tarisio | May 2024 | £6,191est. € 6.000-9.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda anno 1989 fece in Mantova Modello S. Scarampella, signed to the label, branded Lot 118 | Tarisio | May 2024 | £6,596est. $ 7,000-10,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda Anno 1984 Fece in Mantova, signed to label, inscribed Modello Personale Lot 97 | Tarisio | March 2024 | £10,315est. $ 10,000-15,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda di Mantova figlio ed allievo di Gaetano fece in Mantova anno 1998, branded Lot 159 | Tarisio | November 2023 | £6,777est. $ 7,000-10,000 |
| Viola | Bearing the maker's label and brands Lot 165 | Vichy | June 2023 | £7,480est. € 8.000-10.000 |
| Violin | Ansaldo Poggi model, labelled Mario Gadda Fece in Mantova anno 1995 Modello Ansaldo Poggi, signed Lot 76 | Sunrise | April 2023 | £8,305est. ¥ 1,150-1,300,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Pollastri, S. Lazzaro, Bologna, 1958, branded with the image of two roosters Lot 126 | Tarisio | October 2022 | £8,370est. € 5.000-8.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, allievo di Stefano Scarampella, Fece in Mantova l'anno 1945 Lot 26 | Tarisio | March 2022 | £9,600est. £ 8,000-12,000 |
| Violin | Stefano Scarampella model, bearing the maker's signed label, branded inside on the back Lot 54 | Sunrise | July 2021 | £7,072est. ¥ 900,000-1,300,000 |
| Violin | Labelled with signature Anno 1986 Mario Gadda Fece in Mantova Modello Personale, branded Lot 161 | Ingles & Hayday | June 2021 | £6,240est. £ 6,000-8,000 |
| Violin | Labelled with signature Giuseppe Lucci da Bagnacavallo Fece in Roma 1974, branded Lot 188 | Ingles & Hayday | June 2021 | £4,800est. £ 6,000-8,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda di Mantova figlio ed allievo di Gaetano fece in Mantova anno ... Lot 63 | Brompton’s | March 2021 | £6,240est. £ 4,500-5,500 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, Fece in Mantova, Anno 1988, branded to the internally and to the back MG Lot 143 | Tarisio | November 2020 | £13,591est. $ 6,000-9,000 |
| Cello | Labelled Mario Gadda, Anno 1979, Mario Gadda, Fece in Mantova, Modello Natale Carletti 1970 Lot 21 | Tarisio | November 2020 | £17,215est. $ 15,000-22,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Pollastri, fece in Bologna, 1938, poultry marked to the lower rib and under the tailpiece Lot 21 | Tarisio | July 2020 | £10,200est. £ 7,000-10,000 |
| Violin | Bearing a manuscript and printed label Mario Gadda, fece in Mantova Anno 1993 Lot 312 | Brompton’s | June 2020 | £5,400est. £ 4,500-5,500 |
| Cello | Labelled Ernesto Pevere, allievo di, Ettore Soffritti, fecit in Ferrara l'anno 1956 Lot 34 | Tarisio | March 2020 | £16,520est. £ 15,000-22,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, Premiato con Medaglia d'Oro, Allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 131 | Tarisio | February 2020 | £7,746est. $ 10,000-15,000 |
| Violin | Labelled with signature Anno 1962 Mario Gadda Fece in Mantova, branded MG and M. Gadda ... Lot 176 | Ingles & Hayday | October 2019 | £7,200est. £ 6,000-8,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, Anno 1985, Fece in Mantova Lot 193 | Brompton’s | September 2019 | £6,720est. £ 5,000-7,000 |
| Viola | Labelled Anno 1984, Mario Gadda, Fece in Mantova, signed Mario Gadda, Modello ... Lot 110 | Brompton’s | June 2019 | £7,800est. £ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, Anno 1985, Fece in Mantova Lot 113 | Brompton’s | May 2019 | £6,600est. £ 5,000-7,000 |
| Cello | Labelled Mario Gadda Anno 1986 Fece in Mantova, Modello personale ispirato dal padre, signed Lot 158 | Brompton’s | May 2019 | £14,400est. £ 12,000-15,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Anno 1953 Mario Gadda Fece in Mantova Modello Personale, signed and branded internally Lot 123 | Ingles & Hayday | March 2019 | £10,200est. £ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, anno 1980, Mario Gadda, fece in Mantova, copia Gaetano Gadda 1932, branded Lot 192 | Tarisio | March 2019 | £5,700est. £ 6,000-9,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, Anno 1983, Fece in Mantova, Modello Personale, signed Lot 83 | Brompton’s | March 2019 | £6,600est. £ 5,000-6,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, Anno 1980, Fece in Mantova 1980, inscribed Mario Gadda ... Lot 61 | Brompton’s | December 2018 | £8,260est. £ 5,000-8,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, Anno 1980, Fece in Mantova, Modello Personale, branded to the button M. G. Lot 203 | Tarisio | November 2018 | £7,764est. $ 7,000-10,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda di Mantova, figlio ed allievo di Gaetano, fece in Mantova anno 1967 Lot 154 | Tarisio | June 2018 | £8,400est. £ 7,000-10,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, anno 1982, Mario Gadda, fece in Mantova, modello Stefano Scarampella Lot 155 | Tarisio | June 2018 | £8,260est. £ 8,000-12,000 |
| Violin | Personal model, bearing the maker's label with signature, branded under the label Lot 156 | Sunrise | March 2018 | £13,778est. ¥ 800,000-1,000,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Anno 1993, Mario Gadda, Fece in Mantova, branded to the button MG, branded M. Gadda ... Lot 137 | Tarisio | February 2018 | £9,444est. $ 7,000-10,000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label and brands Lot 363 | Vichy | November 2017 | £5,808est. € 4.000-5.000 |
| Viola | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, premiato con medaglia d'oro, allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 52 | Tarisio | November 2017 | £5,885est. $ 6,000-9,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda di Mantova figlio ed allievo di Gaetano fece in Mantova anno 1974 Lot 178 | Ingles & Hayday | October 2017 | £9,000est. £ 5,000-8,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda di Mantova, figlio ed allievo di Gaetano, fece in Mantova anno 1998, branded Lot 144 | Tarisio | March 2017 | £6,600est. £ 3,000-5,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, 1994, Mario Gadda, fece in Mantova, modello personale, branded MG Lot 159 | Tarisio | March 2017 | £6,000est. £ 5,000-8,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, premiato con medaglia d'oro, allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 147 | Tarisio | October 2016 | £13,200est. £ 5,000-8,000 |
| Violin | Marino Capicchioni model, labelled Mario Gadda, fece in Mantova, anno 1995, signed Mario Gadda ... Lot 156 | Tarisio | October 2016 | £7,080est. £ 6,000-9,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Stefano Scarampella di Brescia, premiato con medaglie d'argento, fratello ed allievo del ... Lot 158 | Tarisio | October 2016 | £9,600est. £ 6,500-10,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda Anno 1984, Fece in Mantova, signed Mario Gadda and Modello personale Lot 211 | Tarisio | October 2016 | £11,815est. $ 7,000-10,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, Anno 1978 fece in Mantova, inscribed Modello Romeo Antoniazzi Lot 48 | Brompton’s | June 2016 | £7,200est. £ 6,000-8,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, Fece in Mantova, Anno 1978, stamped internally MG Lot 85 | Brompton’s | June 2016 | £6,600est. £ 7,000-9,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda Anno 1986, Fece in Mantova, signed to label Mario Gadda Lot 148 | Tarisio | May 2016 | £7,061est. $ 7,000-10,000 |
| Cello | Labelled M. Gadda Anno 1983 fece in Mantova, branded M. Gadda-Mantova internally on the back Lot 117 | Ingles & Hayday | March 2016 | £10,800est. £ 10,000-15,000 |
| Violin | Labelled GAETANO PARESCHI Cremona 1950 Lot 115 | Sunrise | March 2016 | £4,731est. ¥ 650,000-800,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Augustus Pollastri ..., branded to the inside back and top with the image of two cockerels Lot 115 | Tarisio | February 2016 | £7,624est. $ 12,000-18,000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label and brands Lot 25 | Vichy | December 2015 | £6,389est. € 7.000-8.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, premiato con Medaglia d'Oro, Allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 143 | Tarisio | November 2015 | £12,000est. £ 6,000-9,000 |
| Violin | Gaetano Pollastri model, original label signed Mario Gadda, branded inside on back and on the button Lot 97 | Sunrise | July 2015 | £7,278est. ¥ 900,000-1,200,000 |
| Violin | Personal model, original label signed Mario Gadda, branded inside on back and on the button Lot 116 | Sunrise | April 2015 | £6,730est. ¥ 600,000-900,000 |
| Violin | In imitation of Gaetano Gadda, labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova premiato con medaglia d'oro ... Lot 157 | Tarisio | June 2014 | £14,400est. £ 15,000-22,000 |
| Viola | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, premiato con medaglia d'oro, allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 50 | Tarisio | October 2013 | £14,160est. £ 12,000-18,000 |
| Cello | Illustrated in La grande Liuteria Italiana by Artemio Versari, 2009; labelled Anno 1970, Mario Gadda ... Lot 28 | Tarisio | June 2013 | £21,600est. £ 18,000-25,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Giuseppe Ornati, fece in Milano, anno 1939, branded to the inside Giuseppe Ornati Milano Lot 220 | Tarisio | May 2013 | £8,477est. $ 12,000-18,000 |
| Cello | Labelled Per L'amico Prof. Rafael, Mario Gadda, Fece in Mantova, Anno 1991 Lot 22 | Tarisio | March 2013 | £15,600est. £ 15,000-22,000 |
| Viola | Labelled Mario Gadda di Mantova, figlio ed allievo di Gaetano, Fece in Mantova, anno 1987 Lot 42 | Tarisio | March 2013 | £7,800est. £ 6,000-9,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, Anno 1985, signed to the label Modello Tommaso Balestrieri Lot 165 | Tarisio | March 2013 | £5,100est. £ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano Gadda di Mantova, premiato con Medaglia d'Oro, Allievo di Stefano Scarampella ... Lot 182 | Tarisio | March 2013 | £10,800est. £ 6,000-9,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Gaetano & Mario Gadda Lot 70 | Vichy | December 2012 | £6,634est. € 7.000-8.000 |
| Cello | Labelled Stefano Scarampella, Mantua, 1910, branded to the button and the inside back SS Lot 125 | Tarisio | November 2012 | £18,725est. $ 30,000-50,000 |
| Violin | Lot 154 | Bonhams | October 2012 | £4,000 |
| Violin | Lot 345 | Bonhams | October 2012 | £3,500 |
| Cello | Labelled Mario Gadda, Mantova, 1969, branded to the button Gadda Mario Lot 37 | Tarisio | October 2012 | £21,600est. £ 18,000-25,000 |
| Viola | Labelled Mario Gadda di Mantova, figlio ed allievo di Gaetano, Fece in Mantova, anno 1981 Lot 60 | Tarisio | October 2012 | £10,800est. £ 8,000-12,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Stefano Scarampella da Brescia, Mantova, 1907 ..., branded to the button and lower rib S.S. Lot 189 | Tarisio | October 2012 | £8,400est. £ 7,000-10,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, fece in Mantova, 1987, signed, of a golden brown colour Lot 154 | Bonhams | October 2012 | £4,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda, fece in Mantova, 1991, of a golden orange brown colour Lot 345 | Bonhams | October 2012 | £3,500 |
| Violin | Labelled Oreste Martini ... Lot 289 | Tarisio | April 2012 | £9,641est. $ 10,000-15,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mario Gadda di Mantova figlio ed allievo di Gaetano fece in Mantova anno 1976 copia ... Lot 104 | Sotheby's | March 2012 | £12,500est. £ 6,000-8,000 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mantova, 1976 | — | December 2011 | £6,925 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mantua, 1986 | — | November 2011 | £3,054 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mantua, 1986 Workshop of | — | May 2011 | £3,551 |
| Viola | 40.5 cm Mantua, 1986 Workshop of | — | October 2010 | £4,882 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Mantua, 1988 Workshop of | — | October 2010 | £6,760 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Mantua, 1970 | — | October 2010 | £8,750 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Mantua, 1971 | — | March 2010 | £6,875 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Mantua, Late 20th C. Workshop of | — | February 2010 | £3,849 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mantua, 2000 c. Workshop of | — | October 2009 | £4,820 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mantua, 1970 c. | — | October 2009 | £9,000 |
| Viola | 40.7 cm Cremona, 1978 Ascribed to | — | October 2009 | £5,625 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm 20th C. Ascribed to | — | October 2009 | £4,375 |
| Cello | 75.5 cm Late 20th C. Workshop of | — | May 2009 | £9,317 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mario Gadda, Mantua, 2000 c. Workshop of | — | May 2009 | £6,599 |
| Viola | 42.5 cm Mantua, 1980 c. copy of "Scarampella" | — | March 2009 | £4,095 |
| Cello | 75.6 cm Mantua, 1980 c. | — | March 2009 | £14,040 |
| Viola | 40.7 cm 1980 c. Workshop of | — | October 2008 | £7,231 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mantua, 2000 c. Workshop of | — | October 2008 | £4,680 |
| Cello | 74.6 cm Mantua, 1967 | — | October 2008 | £12,500 |
| Cello | 75.8 cm Mantua, 1991 Workshop of | — | May 2008 | £12,586 |
| Viola | 40.6 cm Mantua, 1949 | — | May 2008 | £9,589 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mantova, 1998 | — | March 2008 | £4,604 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm 1955 | — | March 2008 | £3,120 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mantua, 1990 c. | — | October 2007 | £4,561 |
| Cello | 74.2 cm Mantua, 1957 After Giuseppe Dall'Aglio | — | February 2007 | £6,000 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Mantua, 1991 After Guarneri | — | February 2007 | £3,600 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Mantua, 1998 | — | February 2007 | £3,600 |
| Cello | 79.7 cm Mantua, 1976 | — | November 2006 | £14,400 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mantua, 1980 c. | — | October 2006 | £6,743 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Mantua, 1970 c. | — | October 2006 | £9,808 |
| Viola | 41.1 cm Mantua, 1998 | — | July 2006 | £10,200 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Mantua, 1986 | — | May 2006 | £6,007 |
| Cello | 75.6 cm Mantua, 1963 | — | February 2006 | £20,400 |
| Viola | 41.1 cm Mantua, 1978 | — | February 2006 | £7,800 |
| Cello | Mantua, 1991 | — | October 2005 | £7,205 |
| Violin | Mantova, 1963 | — | June 2005 | £4,025 |
| Viola | 40.5 cm Mantua 1936 | — | May 2005 | £4,763 |
| Violin | Mantua, 1980 c. | — | May 2005 | £6,716 |
| Violin | Mantua Ascribed to & probably by | — | May 2005 | £6,716 |
| Violin | Mantova, 1980 | — | November 2004 | £4,656 |
| Violin | Mantova, 1953 | — | November 2004 | £4,573 |
| Viola | 42.2 cm Mautua, 1975 Workshop | — | October 2004 | £3,499 |
| Viola | 40.6 cm Mantova, 1949 | — | May 2004 | £9,651 |
| Violin | 1936 | — | May 2003 | £6,624 |
| Violin | 1970 c. | — | June 2002 | £4,906 |
| Violin | 1953 | — | November 2001 | £4,388 |
| Violin | 1985 | — | November 2001 | £5,585 |
| Violin | 1986 | — | November 2001 | £5,186 |
| Cello | 1981 | — | November 2000 | £6,972 |
| Violin | 1980 | — | July 2000 | £5,400 |
| Viola | 41.0 cm 1975 | — | November 1995 | £4,600 |
| Violin | 1980 | — | November 1994 | £4,830 |
| Cello | 1977 | — | March 1992 | £4,400 |
| Viola | 42.1 cm 1973 | — | April 1991 | £2,640 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | June 1990 | £3,520 |
| Viola | 42.2 cm 1975 | — | March 1990 | £3,080 |
| Violin | 1976 | — | June 1989 | £3,300 |
| Viola | 42.2 cm 1972 | — | March 1989 | £1,452 |
| Cello | 1964 | — | June 1988 | £5,280 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | June 1988 | £3,740 |
| Violin | 1974 | — | November 1987 | £1,540 |
| Violin | 1976 | — | November 1986 | £2,200 |
| Violin | 1983 | — | October 1984 | £2,464 |
| Viola | 42.2 cm 1975 | — | June 1983 | £880 |
No results match those filters.
Maker Overview
Life
Mario Gadda (1931-2008) was born in 1931 and died in 2008 in Mantua, Italy. According to The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers by John Dilworth, he was the son, pupil, and successor of Gaetano Gadda. Mario Gadda established his workshop in Sant'Antonio di Porto Mantovano and was a prolific maker. His labels included inscriptions such as 'Anno.. / Mario Gadda / fece in Mantova [Nicolini]'.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- Mario Gadda was a prolific maker, working to many patterns.
- Specialization
- He specialized in copies of Balestrieri and Scarampella.
Recorded labels
- Anno..
Mario Gadda
fece in MantovaJohn Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Mario Gadda was the son and pupil of Gaetano Gadda.
Further Information
- Workshop Location: Mario Gadda's workshop was established in Sant'Antonio di Porto Mantovano.
- Label Inscription: His labels included 'Anno.. / Mario Gadda / fece in Mantova [Nicolini]'.
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Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
GADDA, Mario Born 1931, d.2008 Mantua Italy. Son, pupil, and successor of Gaetano Gadda, above. Established in Sant’Antonio di Porto Mantovano. Prolific maker, working to many patterns and specialising in copies of Balestrieri and Scarampella. Anno.. / Mario Gadda / fece in Mantova [Nicolini]
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