Amati > Makers Archive > Giovanni Battista Gabrielli

Giovanni Battista Gabrielli

Highest auction price

£121,531

Auction price history

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin	35.3 cm Florence, 1769	Thu 1st December 2011	£121,531
Violin	35.4 cm Florence, 1754	Sun 1st May 2011	£21,850
Violin	35.2 cm Florence, 1760 c. [Lit.]	Fri 1st October 2010	£39,431
Violin	35.3 cm Florence, 1766 (with opinion that scroll is later)	Thu 1st October 2009	£43,070
Cello	74.1 cm 18th C. [Attributed to]	Thu 1st October 2009	£37,250
Violin	35.5 cm Florence, 1760 (restored sound post break)	Mon 1st December 2008	£35,834
Viola	39.4 cm Florence, 1755	Sun 1st June 2008	£50,134
Violin	35.6 cm 18th C. [Ascribed to]	Thu 1st May 2008	£2,993
Violin	35.5 cm Florence, 1755	Thu 1st May 2008	£23,947
Violin	35.4 cm Florence, 1758	Mon 1st October 2007	£13,708
Violin	Florence, 1760	Wed 1st June 2005	£25,319
Violin	Florence, 1757	Wed 1st June 2005	£20,930
Violin	Florenz, 1757	Sun 1st May 2005	£24,218
Violin	Florence, 1760 c.	Fri 1st October 2004	£26,720
Violin	Florence, 1770	Thu 1st July 2004	£37,045
Viola	1763	Sat 1st March 2003	£45,600
Violin	1764	Fri 1st November 2002	£10,158
Violin	1757	Tue 1st May 2001	£7,395
Violin	1770 c.	Sun 1st November 1998	£23,000
Violin	1760 c.	Sat 1st November 1997	£11,500
Violin	1751	Sat 1st November 1997	£29,900
Violin	17--	Sat 1st June 1996	£19,550
Viola	39.1 cm 1753	Fri 1st December 1995	£28,931
Cello	1750	Sun 1st October 1995	£73,000
Violin	1760	Sun 1st October 1995	£14,950
Violin	1770	Fri 1st June 1990	£39,600
Viola	39.4 cm 1757	Thu 1st March 1990	£20,900
Violin	1767	Wed 1st November 1989	£28,600
Violin	1760 c.	Wed 1st June 1988	£18,700
Violin	1765 c.	Sat 1st November 1986	£11,000
Violin	17--	Sat 1st November 1986	£15,400
Violin	17--	Mon 1st April 1985	£8,640
Violin	1761	Tue 1st November 1983	£11,550
Violin	1771	Wed 1st June 1983	£4,400
Violin	1757	Fri 1st April 1983	£6,050
Cello	1759	Sun 1st November 1981	£21,459
Violin	1766	Sun 1st November 1981	£8,140
Violin	1760	Wed 1st October 1980	£7,920

Biographies

John Dilworth Cecie Stainer Willibald Leo Lütgendorff

John Dilworth

GABRIELLI, Giovanni Battista Born 1716, died 1771 Florence Italy. Pre-eminent maker of the Florentine school. May have had some instruction from Bartolomeo Cristofori, who had worked for Nicolò Amati before coming to Florence in 1709, where he received royal appointment. What is known of Cristofori’s work is decidedly Cremonese in style, but Gabrielli worked consistently in the manner of Stainer, which remained the dominant influence in Florence throughout the 18th century. Seldom exaggerated the model in the destructive manner of many Stainer followers, and his work is generally well-controlled and craftsmanlike. Scrolls are nicely contrived, if a little broad through the second turn. ‘f’ holes are very elegant, often managing to combine Stainer and Stradivari elements successfully. Varnish is rich golden-yellow or orange with good even consistency. Materials are good, but the best cuts of maple are seldom encountered. Much use made of beech wood in purfling and interior. His work does vary to some extent, but this aspect has been exacerbated by many speculative attributions; imitations of his label are often found in Tyrolean work. Most dictionaries list several other makers in the Gabrielli family: Antonio, Bartolomeo, Cristoforo, etc. but their existence is not yet supported by historical research, and these may be fictitious names used in the less convincing imitations. Branded on back button: ‘G.B.G.’. Manuscript labels: Joannes Baptistae de / Gabriellis Florentinus / fecit 1767 Gio. Batista de Gabrielli / fece in Firenze 1757