Instrument Type: Violin
Circa: 1900
Asking Price: SOLD
Maker: Alberto Cioffi
The Violin
Alberto Cioffi made this violin in Naples at the start of the 20th century. It is a fine and rare example of his work. The instrument carries a facsimile label of Carlo Loveri, a detail that ties it to the busy Neapolitan workshops of the period.
The tone is bright and woody. This Alberto Cioffi violin speaks with a lively, distinctive voice that gives it real character under the bow. The back measures 35.5 cm.
Certified instruments by the lesser-known Neapolitan makers open a door for players. You get genuine Italian construction and sound, but without the price of a famous name. This Alberto Cioffi violin shows that value clearly.
Players drawn to the Neapolitan sound often call it open and expressive. They also praise its quick response. This Alberto Cioffi violin has exactly that character, and a respected modern certificate stands behind it. In short, it rewards an expressive player.
The Maker
Alberto Cioffi worked in Naples around the turn of the 20th century. The city still carried the strong influence of its great 18th-century makers then, above all the Gagliano family. His instruments rarely reach the market today.
Naples produced a school with its own clear voice. Makers there worked in a practical, confident style, and their instruments speak with a spirited, direct sound. Those qualities come through in every Alberto Cioffi violin we have handled.
Because so few of his instruments survive, each one matters to collectors as well as players. An Alberto Cioffi violin gives a musician an authentic piece of the Neapolitan tradition, and it does so at a level many players can reach.
Certification
Reuning and Son of Boston certified this instrument in 2018.
Terms of Sale
This violin has sold, so it is no longer available for purchase. Benning Violins invites you to browse our current catalog of fine instruments. You can also contact us directly to ask about similar pieces.