Holt Auctioneers: A fine pair Ivo Fabbri Torcoli-engraved pinless sidelock ejector pigeon guns

Are you someone that sees shotguns as works of art? In Holts Auctioneers’ forthcoming auction, buyers have the chance to purchase a stunning pair of Italian-made, Ivo Fabbri 12-bore single trigger over-and-under pigeon guns. Engraved by Torcoli, the etchings reflect the Pantheon inspired Villa Almerico Capra Valmarana, popularly referred to as ‘Villa La Rotonda’, designed by Andrea Paladio in 1565 for a retired priest, Paolo Almerico on his return from the Vatican. Holts Auctioneers’ Chris Beaumont commented that there is no doubt that the engraving has evolved beyond all recognition since the early days of breech loading guns. He added: “The rather basic scroll designs and naïve game scenes, which were commonplace on even the best guns in the mid to late 19th century has been replaced on hand-engraved guns with work that is of such quality, that it stands alone as a work of art. With the level of sophistication of the artisan engraver, also comes the possibility higher level of personalisation of the subject matter. We see everything from the celebration of historical buildings and artefacts or events, such as on this pair of Fabbri’s, to real life portraiture of people or their gundogs, right through to pure fantasy work, which on occasion sometimes merits an ‘X’ rating!” The guns feature 28in. nitro chopperlump barrels with tapered ventilated matt top ribs, gold-inlaid '1' and '2' at the breech ends (no.1 rib with dents), side ribs, over barrels engraved 'VACUUM ARC REMELTING STEEL', 'IVO FABBRI - BRESCIA - ', and gold-inlaid 'CONSTRUITO PER P. BRIGATO', 2 3/4in. chambers, bored approx. 3/4 choke in all, hold-open toplevers gold-inlaid '1' and '2', manual safeties, the actions finely bordered with scrolling art nouveau foliate designs, surrounding extremely fine bulino style depictions of  'Villa La Rotonda' and its surroundings from various angles, each triggerguard engraved with one of the classical style statues that adorn the building, the triggerplates signed 'TORCOLI inc.', 14 3/4in. very highly-figured pistolgrip stocks with palm swells and including 1in. rubber recoil pads, the fore-ends finely inset in gold with ornate armorial crests with a pigeon trussed, weight 7lb. 8oz., in their lightweight leather case with Ivo Fabbri parchment trade label. Estimate: £35,000-£45,000. Holts Auctioneers’ next auction in London is on Thursday 21st September 2017. http://www.holtsauctioneers.com/