Sesto Rocchi
Milan, San Polo D'enza, 1909–1991
Sesto Rocchi (1909-1991) was an Italian luthier and violinist, born in San Polo d'Enza and active in Reggio Emilia. He trained under Gaetano Sgarabotto and Leandro Bisiach, and worked for Ströbl in Berlin. Rocchi is known for producing around 300 instruments, including quartets and a copy of the Stradivari 'Medici' quintet, utilizing classical modelling and a distinctive deep golden red-orange varnish.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
34 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Labelled with signature "Mantegna" Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo Fece l'anno 1974 S.R., inscribed on the back Lot 212 | Ingles & H. | January 2025 | £19,800est. £ 18,000-25,000 |
| Viola | Labelled Raggio di Sole, Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo, fece l'anno 1959, signed to the label, inscribed fatto x ... Lot 17 | Tarisio | January 2024 | £17,700est. £ 15,000-22,000 |
| Viola | Labelled Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo, fece l'anno 1971, signed to the label, inscribed Sesto Rocchi, Fece 1971 Lot 18 | Tarisio | June 2023 | £22,631est. € 18.000-25.000 |
| Viola | Labelled Sextus Rocchi Regiensis fecit 1957 SR, bearing a separate label Sulle ali del canto Lot 48 | Tarisio | November 2022 | £20,195est. $ 20,000-30,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo, Fece l'anno 1977, signed to the label and inscribed C. Flesch Lot 16 | Tarisio | November 2021 | £17,700est. £ 15,000-22,000 |
| Viola | Labelled =Angelica=, Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo, Fece l'anno 1975, signed to the label, branded RS Lot 30 | Tarisio | October 2021 | £13,752est. € 18.000-25.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo Fece l'Anno 1982 Lot 218 | Brompton’s | October 2020 | £20,520est. £ 18,000-20,000 |
| Violin | Labelled with signature "Edipo", Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo Fece l'Anno 1973 Lot 152 | Ingles & Hayday | March 2020 | £19,200est. £ 18,000-25,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Petrarca, Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo, fece l'anno 1975, Sesto Rocchi, branded to the inside R. S. Lot 235 | Tarisio | March 2020 | £18,880est. £ 18,000-25,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo, fece l'anno 1968, F. Kreisler, Sesto Rocchi, inscribed Kreisler, Sesto ... Lot 148 | Tarisio | February 2019 | £22,576est. $ 25,000-35,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo fece l'anno 1977, inscribed to the label A Rolla Lot 209 | Tarisio | May 2017 | £20,915est. $ 20,000-30,000 |
| Violin | Published in Liuteria moderna in Emilia- Romagna, p. 154-155; labelled EoPo, Sesto Rocchi da ... Lot 190 | Tarisio | March 2016 | £21,240est. £ 18,000-25,000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's brands and signatures Lot 412 | Vichy | December 2015 | £16,186est. € 8.000-10.000 |
| Violin | Labelled with signature Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo, Fece l'anno 1979 SR, inscribed Sivori on the label Lot 10 | Ingles & Hayday | March 2015 | £14,400est. £ 12,000-18,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Ole B. Bull, Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo, Fece l'anno 1969, branded to the upper inside back R.S. Lot 273 | Tarisio | October 2014 | £17,259est. $ 20,000-30,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo fece l'anno 1973, inscribed to the label Menelao Lot 162 | Tarisio | June 2014 | £18,880est. £ 18,000-25,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo fece l'anno 1977, inscribed to the label A Rolla Lot 160 | Tarisio | March 2014 | £21,600est. £ 18,000-25,000 |
| Violin | Labelled with signature Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo fece l'anno 1977, V. Ranzato, inscribed V. Ranzato ... Lot 23 | Ingles & Hayday | October 2013 | £14,400est. £ 12,000-16,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Lorriggio: Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo, Fece l'anno 1974 Lot 228 | Tarisio | May 2013 | £21,191est. $ 18,000-25,000 |
| Viola | Labelled Sextus Rocchi, Regiensis fecit 1957, additionally inscribed to the label Sulle ali del canto Lot 87 | Tarisio | November 2012 | £12,733est. $ 15,000-22,000 |
| Violin | Milan, 1933 | — | January 2011 | £10,800 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm San Polo D'Enza, 1977 | — | January 2010 | £19,200 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm San Polo D'enza, 1975 | — | January 2007 | £10,278 |
| Violin | San Polo D'enza, 1968 | — | January 2005 | £10,200 |
| Cello | S. Polo, 1963 | — | January 2005 | £14,490 |
| Violin | 1932 | — | January 2002 | £5,805 |
| Violin | 1979 | — | January 2002 | £7,549 |
| Violin | 1980 | — | January 2002 | £5,875 |
| Viola | 42.0 cm 1956 | — | January 2001 | £4,894 |
| Violin | 1972 | — | January 2000 | £8,054 |
| Violin | 1981 | — | January 1998 | £5,175 |
| Violin | 1979 | — | January 1998 | £8,625 |
| Violin | 1964 | — | January 1987 | £2,310 |
| Violin | 1800 c. | — | January 1986 | £4,180 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Sesto ROCCHI (1909-1991) was born on October 4, 1909, in San Polo d'Enza, Italy, and passed away in 1991 in Reggio Emilia. He was both a violinist and a luthier, establishing himself independently in Reggio Emilia after working for Ströbl in Berlin. completed approximately 300 instruments, including 10 quartets and one copy of the complete Stradivari 'Medici' quintet.
Characteristics
- Modelling
- Sesto Rocchi employed classical modelling, following the styles of Stradivari and Guarneri.
- Varnish
- His instruments featured a deep golden red-orange varnish as quite thick textured. Karel Jalovec notes that he applied a yellow or red varnish.
- Labels
- Rocchi used both manuscript and printed labels. An example of a manuscript label reads: 'Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo / fece l'anno 19'. Printed labels include: 'Rocchi Sextus Regiensis-All. / L.Bisiach. Faciebat Anno 1935' and 'Sextus Rocchi / Regiensis fecit 1948 S.R.'
- Exhibitions
- He exhibited a violin and a quartet at Cremona in 1937.
- Rocchi Sextus Regiensis-All.
L.Bisiach. Faciebat Anno 1935John Dilworth - Sextus Rocchi
Regiensis fecit 1948John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Sesto Rocchi was a pupil of Gaetano Sgarabotto in Parma and Leandro Bisiach in Milan.
Further Information
- Workshop Locations: Sesto Rocchi worked in Berlin for Ströbl before establishing his independent workshop in Reggio Emilia.
- Instrument Copies: He notably created a copy of the complete Stradivari 'Medici' quintet.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
ROCCHI, Sesto Born 1909 San Polo d’Enza, died 1991 Reggio Emilia Italy. Violinist and luthier. Pupil of G. Sgarabotto in Parma and L. Bisiach in Milan. Worked in Berlin for Ströbl. Established independently in Reggio Emilia. Completed 300 instruments, 10 quartets, and one copy of the complete Stradivari ‘Medici’ quintet. Classical modelling. Deep golden red-orange varnish, quite thick textured. Manuscript label: Sesto Rocchi da S. Polo / fece l’anno 19 Printed labels: Rocchi Sextus Regiensis-All. / L.Bisiach. Faciebat Anno 1935 Sextus Rocchi / Regiensis fecit 1948 S.R.
Karel Jalovec+
S. Paolo d’Enza (Reggio Emilia) b. Oct. 4, 1909, pupil of Gaetano Sgarabotto, followed Stradivari and Guarneri and applied a yellow or red varnish. Exhibited a violin and a quartet at Cremona 1937.
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