Ferdinando Gagliano

Name: Ferdinando Gagliano auction price records, Amati Instrument Archive
Creator: Amati

Naples, b. 1724

Ferdinando Gagliano, a Neapolitan luthier, was the son of Nicola Gagliano and grandson of Alessandro Gagliano, with conflicting birth and death dates (1724-1795 or 1706-1781). Likely trained by his uncle Gennaro Gagliano, his craftsmanship is described with varying quality, from excellent to showing decadence compared to his father's work, particularly in arching and finish. He is recognized for specific stylistic elements such as a small, tightly-wound scroll and a distinctive 'f' wing. His output included violins, basses, and notably, highly regarded cellos. He also produced instruments for trade at lower prices, which sometimes led to pieces of lesser value.

Worked Naples

Made Cello, Viola, Violin

Family Son of Nicola Gagliano

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£134,743

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin	35.5 cm Naples, 1780 c.	May 2011	£134,743
Viola	38.0 cm Naples, 1790 c.	December 2010	£24,000
Violin	34.8 cm Naples, 1760	October 2010	£37,553
Viola	38.0 cm Naples, 1774, Viola D'Amore	June 2010	£40,161
Viola	38.1 cm Naples, 1776	June 2010	£72,289
Violin	35.3 cm Naples, 1760 c.	March 2010	£90,000
Violin	35.2 cm Naples, 1750 [Lit.]	October 2009	£107,916
Violin	35.0 cm Naples, 1795	October 2009	£57,600
Violin	35.4 cm [Attributed to]	March 2009	£8,414
Violin	35.4 cm [Attributed to]	May 2008	£8,430
Violin	35.0 cm Naples, 1781	April 2008	£90,741
Violin	35.5 cm [Ascribed to]	May 2007	£28,803
Violin	35.2 cm Naples, 1780 c.	May 2007	£48,966
Viola	36.9 cm Naples, 1782	November 2006	£30,000
Violin	Naples, 1790 c.	November 2004	£77,675
Violin	Naples	May 2004	£56,505
Viola	36.9 cm 1775	November 2002	£35,850
Violin	1769	May 2000	£44,481
Violin	1790 c.	March 1998	£14,950
Violin	1790 c.	November 1997	£16,100
Violin	1790 c.	November 1997	£22,456
Violin	1790 c.	November 1996	£20,700
Violin	17--	November 1995	£39,100
Violin	1790	October 1995	£47,700
Violin	17--	May 1995	£35,219
Violin	1775-99	March 1995	£19,550
Violin	17--	October 1993	£56,500
Violin	1784	July 1993	£32,200
Violin	1770	April 1993	£37,800
Violin	1760 c.	November 1992	£27,500
Violin	1772	November 1992	£35,200
Violin	1782	June 1992	£82,500
Violin	1770 c.	March 1992	£26,400
Violin	1785	November 1991	£49,500
Violin	1750 c.	March 1991	£35,200
Violin	1750 c.	November 1990	£45,100
Violin	1753	June 1989	£12,100
Violin	1770 c.	November 1988	£24,200
Violin	1780 c.	June 1988	£29,700
Violin	1760	March 1988	£4,620
Violin	1784	November 1987	£31,900
Violin	1794 c.	November 1987	£22,000
Violin	1760 c.	November 1987	£13,200
Viola	36.8 cm 1775	November 1987	£16,500
Viola	36.8 cm 1773	July 1987	£12,100
Violin	1782	April 1987	£35,200
Viola	38.3 cm 1783	November 1986	£12,650
Violin	1780	November 1986	£15,400
Violin	17--	May 1986	£15,120
Violin	1794	June 1983	£11,429
Cello	1765	November 1980	£40,700

Maker Overview

Life

Ferdinando Gagliano (1724-1795) was born in Naples, Italy. Sources contain conflicting information regarding his birth and death dates; while John Dilworth states he was born in 1724 and worked circa 1770-1795, Cecie Stainer indicates he was born in 1706 and died around 1781. He was the eldest son of Nicola Gagliano and grandson of Alessandro Gagliano. He worked in Naples, Italy.

Characteristics

Workmanship: Ferdinando Gagliano's work shows elements of both his father, Nicola, and his uncle, Gennaro, though his workmanship is described by John Dilworth as being of a more restrained order. Cecie Stainer notes a decadence in his work compared to his father's, stating it was not as arched, thicknesses were not accurate, and the finish was less careful. However, George Hart describes his instruments as usually excellently made, and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff considers him a very good master, whose work is similar to Alessandro Gagliano's. He is known to have imitated the last Stradivari model.
Varnish: John Dilworth describes his varnish as generally tending towards a thinner, harder quality. In contrast, Cecie Stainer notes his varnish was richer in color than that used by other family members, and George Hart mentions a warmer tint. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff specifies a good, reddish-brown or yellow varnish of warm color.
Characteristics: His instruments often feature a small, tightly-wound scroll. The upper wing of the treble 'f' is carved downward in a distinctive manner. The outline frequently exhibits an awkward transition from the outward curve of the lower bouts into the concave lines of the corner. Some examples include decorative inlay. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes he used flatter arching and a broader pattern than his father, and was less careful in his choice of wood.
Instruments: Violins and basses by Ferdinando Gagliano are known, dated up to the year of his death. A very good alto dated 1753 is also known. His cellos are considered his best instruments.

Recorded labels

Ferdinandus Gagliano Filius
Nicolai, Fecit Neap. 17..John Dilworth
Ferdinando Gagliano, me fecit
Neapoli, anno 17..John Dilworth

Influence and legacy

Training: Ferdinando Gagliano was the son of Nicola Gagliano and was probably trained by his uncle Gennaro Gagliano.
Family: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that Ferdinando Gagliano is said to have had a son named Giuseppe.

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Biographies

The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

John Dilworth+

GAGLIANO, Ferdinando Born 1724, Worked circa. 1770-1795 Naples Italy. Son of Nicola Gagliano, below, but probably trained by his uncle Gennaro, below. Work shows elements of both, but workmanship of a more restrained order, and varnish generally tending towards a thinner harder quality. Small tightly-wound scroll. Upper wing of treble ‘f’ carved downward in distinctive manner. Outline often marked by an awkward transition from the outward curve of the lower bouts into the concave lines of the corner. Some examples with decorative inlay. Additional label with religious dedication often found fixed to upper rib inner surface. Ferdinandus Gagliano Filius / Nicolai, Fecit Neap. 17.. Ferdinando Gagliano, me fecit / Neapoli, anno 17..

George Hart+

His instruments are usually excellently made, and have a varnish of a warmer tint than is met with on the instruments of the Gagliani family.

Cecie Stainer+

Eldest son of Nicola, grandson of Alessandro, b. 1706, in Naples; d. about 1781. His work shows decadence, although it is an imitation of that of his father; it is not so arched, the thicknesses are not accurate, the work is not so carefully finished ; the varnish is richer in colour than that used by other members of the family. As he also worked for the trade at low prices, some of his instruments are not of much value. Violins and basses of his are known dated up to the year of his death, and a very good alto dated 1753.
and “Ferdinando Gagliani, me fecit Neapoli, anno 1730.”

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Ältester Sohn von Nicola, den er zwar nicht immer erreicht, trotzdem aber noch ein sehr guter Meister. Seine Arbeit ist der von Alessandro G. ähnlich, er ahmt das letzte Stradivari-Modell nach und verwendet einen guten, rothbraunen oder gelben Lack von warmer Farbe. Die Wölbung nimmt er flacher, das Patron aber breiter als sein Vater, auch in der Wahl des Holzes ist er weniger sorgfältig. Am besten gelangen ihm seine Violoncelli. Er soll einen Sohn Namens Giuseppe gehabt
haben.

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