Hi Peter,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Giovanni Francesco Celoniato (sometimes seen Latinized as Joannes Franciscus Celoniatus) was an Italian luthier active in Turin (Torino) in the early 18th century, he was born around 1675–1676 and died 1751. He worked in the Piedmont region at a time when the Turin school of violin and cello making was emerging, following figures like Goffredo Cappa — though the idea he trained directly with Cappa is debated among instrument scholars because their styles differ markedly.

Celoniato’s models and style show influence from Cremonese makers (e.g., Amati and possibly Stradivari patterns), yet remain distinctive in their own right. His instruments are generally elegant, with neatly cut f‑holes and a characteristic slender scroll/pegbox design. His work is noted for careful craftsmanship, choice of fine materials, and refined varnish (often golden-brown), which contributed to a rich, even tone, especially admired in his cellos.

Only a very small number of his instruments survive — particularly cellos. For example, only about eight known cellos by him are documented today. Because so few instruments exist, original Celoniato instruments are rare and collectible, often highlighted in specialist publications and calendars like The Strad Calendar.

Some of his cellos are part of major collections and are played regularly, including instruments in institutional collections that tour or are loaned to professional musicians. Because of their rarity, historical importance, and quality, instruments attributed to Celoniato are of significant interest to players, scholars, and collectors alike.

You are correct in noting that labels inside violins, violas, cellos and double bases can be unreliable; they were frequently copied and/or transferred from instrument to instrument but I'll give this instrument the benefit of the doubt and appraise it as if it were right. If you're interested in selling this, let me know and I may be able to recommend someone qualified to confirm the authentication and represent it if correct.

Here is a breakdown of some other 16 documented auction records of Celoniato instruments, all violins:
The highest recorded auction price for an instrument by Giovanni Francesco Celoniato — a violin — is about $144,000 (Feb 2016).
Most recently (2020), a violin sold for $111,493; the remaining 14 instruments - all violins - sold between 1973 and 1999, for prices ranging between $7,129 and $51,974.

The world auction record for a cello was $1.5 million realized by the 1743 “ex‑Havemeyer” cello made by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini; it sold in May 2016 and broke the previous $1.2 million record set by a Stradivari cello in 1988. All had been offered with pre-sale estimates in the mid six-figure range.

Given the extreme rarity of Celoniato cellos, if this were to be viewed by a knowledgeable expert of stringed instruments and sold at auction, I would expect it to set records and would not be surprised to see it exceed a possibly conservative estimate of $250,000-500,000.

If you like, I can help you find the right specialist who can confirm the authenticity and, if this is correct, help you realize the most for it.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia