Ansaldo Poggi was the greatest Italian violin maker of the 20th century and is considered the closest to Stradivarius among the modern Italian makers.
In the middle of 1920s, after studying at Fiorini’s atelier in Zurich, Poggi established his own atelier in his hometown, Bologna.
While still young, he challengingly applied for many luthier competitions, and continually received medals in 1923, 1925, 1927 and 1929, which period is so called his golden period.
Under an ordinary label, there is found another label saying “Winner at the international maker’s competition in Rome in 1927,” which gives us a presumption that this viola is a very precious one, made with the most special mind and care of all the small number of his violas. Its graceful form in Fiorini’s style and sharply-cut f-holes peculiar to Poggi show delicate touching by young Poggi.

※ The current player is Ms. Momoko Aritomi, a violist.