Giovanni Maria Valenzano
Highest auction price
£35,200
Auction price history
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.6 cm 18th C. (head later) [Attributed to] | Tue 1st November 2011 | £3,571 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm 1800 c. [Ascribed to] | Sat 1st October 2011 | £3,600 |
| Violin | 35.2 cm Valenza, 1821 [Lit: The Cooper Collection] | Tue 1st March 2011 | £22,800 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm 19th C. [Attributed to] [Lit.] | Sun 1st March 2009 | £9,375 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm [Atributed to] | Sun 1st March 2009 | £3,125 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm [Ascribed to] | Mon 1st October 2007 | £8,565 |
| Violin | Rome, 1820 c. [Probably by] | Sun 1st May 2005 | £7,200 |
| Violin | 1826 | Fri 1st June 1990 | £35,200 |
| Violin | 1794 | Fri 1st June 1990 | £16,500 |
| Violin | 1810-25 | Fri 1st May 1981 | £9,350 |
Biographies
John Dilworth
VALENZANO, Giovanni Maria b. Asti, d. after 1827 Trieste Italy. Active in Asti from 1770. Significant and somewhat underestimated luthier of the early 19th century. One of the first violin makers to explore the Guarneri del Gesù form and model as an alternative to the established Stradivari pattern, thanks to his links with Paganini whose origins and early life were in the same region. According to reported labels Valenzano worked first in Padua (Veneto), subsequently moving around north east Italy and the Mediterranean coast. In 1804 he is found in ‘Valentia’ or Valenza (Piedmont); possibly the origin of his family name. His birthplace of Asti is c.40 km from Valenza and in early labels he calls himself ‘Piedmontese’. Established from 1809 in Barcelona, Spain and from 1813 in Montpellier, Marseille, and from 1815 in Nice, France. Thereafter returned to Italy, working in Genoa 1818, Rome c.1825, and finally Trieste. (His presence there was remarked upon by Paganini in 1827 with the comment that he was doing very well). Work generally well judged on a fine Stradivari-derived form, though early work unrefined and a little reminiscent of Testore instruments with small finial circles to the soundholes. The scroll shows influence of the Genoa school, with straight pegbox and a small upright volute. Even the best work is not highly finished : a distinctive feature is the knife marks fanning out from the purfling points in each corner. Some Guadagnini copies, as well as rare instruments with strong del Gesù features in the soundholes, scroll, and arching. Varnish golden-yellow or a slightly pinkish orange, similar to that used by Spanish makers. Revisum et Correctum da me / Joanne Valenzano / anno 1796 Joannes Valentianus / Pédémontanus 1798 Johannes Maria Valenzano / in Padova 1800 Joannes Maria Valenzano / Astensis in Valentia fecit 1804 Johannes Valenzano / in Barcelona 1809 Johannes Valenzano, Astensis / Nicea, fecit Domini 1815 Johannes Valenzano, Astensis / Genova, fecit 1818 Joannes Maria Valenzano / Astensis fecit Romae 1825 Johannes Valenzano, / Trieste 18.. [De Courcy]
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