Italian Viola by Giuseppe Pellacani, Modena c1931

Giuseppe Pellacani was a violinist and a pupil in lutherie of N. Bianchi in Nice and E. Arassi in Milan from 1940. He created a Guarneri model featuring thick clear shaded varnish, ranging from golden-yellow to red-brown. He completed 137 violins, 26 violas, and 72 cellos. He received medals in Ascoli Piceno in 1959 and Cremona in 1967. Pellacani was awarded a medaglia d’argento in Ascoli Piceno in 1959 and a medaglia d’oro in Cremona in 1967. The back of this viola is formed of two pieces of maple, quarter cut, plain selection. The ribs are also of maple, holding a narrow to medium width flame. The top is of spruce, mostly wide grain throughout, though somewhat varied. The scroll is the original, similar wood selection to that of the back. The varnish is reddish orange-brown color, considerable worn or removed, over a golden yellow-brown ground. This instrument has a Certificate of Authenticity from Kenneth Warren & Sons.