Italy School
Joseph Gaffino
Paris, Turin, c.1720–1789
Joseph Gaffino (circa. 1720-1789) was a significant Parisian luthier of Italian origin, apprenticed to Castagneri. He established his workshop in 1742 at 'la Musette de Colin' in rue des Prouvaires and became Dean of the Luthiers' Guild in 1766. His work, characterized by delicate Amatisé modelling and golden yellow or orange varnish, closely followed Castagneri's style, often featuring carved roses on the scroll eyes. Gaffino's thriving business involved both instrument making and extensive trade, including selling and renting a wide variety of instruments, even those from other renowned makers. His workshop inventory in 1789 indicated a prosperous enterprise, which his widow continued after his death.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
9 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viola | Some table restorations including sound post and bass bar cracks, worm Lot 310 | Laurent | June 2024 | £16,414est. € 15.000-20.000 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm mid 18th C. Attributed to & possibly by | — | November 2011 | £5,263 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Paris, 1774 | — | April 2010 | £14,141 |
| Viola | 39.5 cm Paris, 1748 | — | October 2007 | £10,849 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1750 | — | October 2006 | £3,678 |
| Violin | Paris 1745-1750 c. Workshop | — | June 2005 | £2,374 |
| Violin | 1746 | — | February 1994 | £1,495 |
| Violin | 1745 | — | November 1993 | £2,899 |
| Violin | 1745 | — | May 1993 | £3,300 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Joseph Gaffino (circa. 1720-1789) was born around 1720 in Turin, Italy, and died in 1789 in Paris, France The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers. He was apprenticed to Castagneri in Paris early in the 18th century. Gaffino established his own workshop in 1742 at the sign of 'la Musette de Colin' in rue des Prouvaires. In 1766, he was made Dean of the Luthiers' Guild. The inventory of his workshop, overseen by Guersan in 1789, listed a large amount of stock, including 67 violins by his old master Castagneri and three hundred pieces of cut maple for ribs, indicating a thriving business. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that his widow continued the business after his death.
Characteristics
- Style
- Gaffino's work was very much in the style of Castagneri, featuring delicate Amatisé modelling.
- Varnish
- He used golden yellow or orange varnish. Other sources, such as Cecie Stainer and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, describe his varnish as pale red or yellow.
- Scrolls
- Typically, the eyes of his scrolls were embellished with carved roses.
- Workmanship
- His violins are described as carefully made.
- Instruments Produced & Traded
- Gaffino's business involved making, selling, buying, and renting various musical instruments, including violins, basses d'orchestre, violoncellos, alto-viola, and violes d'amour. He also sold instruments by other makers, such as violins and basses from Cremona and basses de viole d'Angleterre.
- Notable Instruments
- An alto of large pattern, dated 1748 from rue des Prouvaires, is mentioned as the only one known by Cecie Stainer and is housed in the Cons. des Arts et Métiers in Paris.
- Gaffino Cto di Castagnery
rue des Prouvaires
Pariggi 1743John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Joseph Gaffino was a pupil of Castagneri in Paris.
- Collaboration: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff suggests that Gaffino might have later been a partner ('Consorto') with Castagneri, interpreting the abbreviation 'Cto.' as such.
- Professional Recognition: Gaffino was made Dean of the Luthiers' Guild in 1766.
- Workshop Continuity: After his death, his widow continued the business from the same address in rue des Prouvaires.
- Museum Presence: An alto of large pattern from 1748 is preserved in the Cons. des Arts et Métiers in Paris.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
GAFFINO, Joseph Born circa. 1720 Turin Italy, died 1789 Paris France. Apprenticed to Castagneri in Paris early in the 18th century. Established his own workshop in 1742 at the sign of ‘la Musette de Colin’ in rue des Prouvaires. Made Dean of the Luthiers’ Guild 1766. The inventory of his workshop overseen by Guersan in 1789 lists a large amount of stock appropriate to a thriving business, including 67 violins by his old master Castagneri, and three hundred pieces of cut maple for ribs. Work very much in the style of Castagneri: delicate Amatisé modelling with golden yellow or orange varnish. Typically the eyes of the scroll are embellished with carved roses. Gaffino Cto di Castagnery / rue des Prouvaires / Pariggi 1743 A la Musetta de Colin / Joseph Gaffino, maître et marchand luthier / à Paris, rue des Prouvaires / fait, vend, achète, et loue toutes sortes d’instruments de / Musique, savoir—violons, basses d’orchestre, violoncelles, alto-viola / violes d’amour, et toutes sortes de un façon / Il vend aussi violons et basses de Crémone, / basses de viole d’Angleterre et de toutes / sortes d’auteurs, etc, etc
George Hart+
Pupil of Castagneri.
Cecie Stainer+
An Italian, a pupil of Castagnery, who worked in Paris, rue des Prouvaires, about 1745-83; his widow was still living at the same address in 1789. His violins are carefully made and he used pale red or yellow varnish. An alto of large pattern, the only one known, is dated rue des Prouvaires, 1748.
Perhaps he was more of a dealer than a maker, judging by the advertisement on another label: ” At the sign of the ‘ Musette de Colin,’ Joseph Gaffino, maitre et marchand luthier a Paris, rue des Prouvaires, fait, vend, achate, et loue toutes sortes d’instruments de musique, savoir: violons, basses d’orchestre, violoncellos, alto-viola, violes d’amour et toutes sortes de sa facon,” &c.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Ein Italiener, wahrscheinlich aus Piemont, Schüler und später vielleicht Gesellschafter
seines Pariser Landsmanns Castagnéri, wenn die Abkürzung: »Cto .«, mit Consorto, richtig gedeutet ist, und von 1766 1767 geschworener Meister der
Lautenmacherzunft. Sein Geschäft, mit dem ein schwungvoller Instrumenten und
Saitenhandel verknüpft war und das das Schild à la musette de Colin führte,
wurde nach 1789 von der Wittwe fortgesetzt. Seine Arbeit hat ganz den französischen
Charakter, er verwandte blassrothen oder gelben Lack. Ein Alto von
grossem Patron aus dem Jahre 1748 ist im Cons. des Arts et Métiers in Paris.
Seine Geschäftskarte lautete:
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Working in Paris at the same time
(Parisse) Claude Paris worked 1770–1814
(Perrault) Perault worked 1770–1790
(Prevot) Charles Prevost worked 1775–1789
Ambroise worked 1750–1810
Andrea Castagneri worked 1730–1762
Antoine Chevrier worked 1732–1775
Antoine Fouquet-Lecomte worked 1775–1800
Barbey worked 1720–1748