Ansaldo Poggi was a renowned Italian craftsman of the 20th century, highly reputed as a modern Italian violin maker who succeeded to the tradition of the Bologna School.
Poggi was born in Villa Fontana de Medicina, close to Bologna. His father was an amateur stringed instrument maker, so Poggi had been familiar with woodwork since small and learned how to play the violin. After the World War I ended, he graduated from Accademia Filarmonica de Bologna. In 1921, he encounteredGiuseppe Fiorini and started learning violin making in Zurich, Switzerland. In 1923, he came back to Italy and worked with Fiorini.
Poggi received a silver medal in Rome International Competition of 1923, and gold medals in 1925, 1927 and 1929. He was so highly reputed that he was prohibited to participate in any competition after that. He made as many as 322 violins, 41 violas and 25 cellos through his life.
Worldwide renowned musicians: Mstislav Rostropovich, David Oistrakh, Nathan Milstein, Yehudi Menuhin and Isaac Stern loved and used his instruments.
In 1981, Poggi’s atelier was donated to City of Medicina, closed to Bologna, and is preserved in the city museum today. In this museum, Poggi’s atelier, his violin made in 1933 and others are exhibited to tell his techniques and art to the following generations.
This piece of artwork of 1945 was made in his original model which was created on the base of Antonio Stradivari’s model, and was finished upperfectly in every corner. His own characteristics are seen on its wide corners, precise beestings with emphasized ebony purfling, thin and sharp f-holes and beautifully balanced scrolls. Top ranked wood and varnish are used. Its sound is brilliant but deep to feel body.