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Scan 96
Old Violins And Their Makers, 1883
8 lines. Read by computer on 30 September 2026. Printed page 82. See the scan on archive.org.
1Gagliano, a son of this Nicolas, lived at Naples at the end of the eighteenth century. These two last of the name made comparatively poor instruments. Two or three other Gaglaniros are mentioned by earlier writers, but there does not appear to be any other authentic trace of their existence.
3C. G. Testore is another imitator of Stradivari, who flourished in Milan from 1690 to 1715. He and his two sons, C. A. and P. A. Testore, were likewise in Milan, both from about 1720 to 1745. They also imitated Stradivari, and Guarnerius as well. I have seen a Testore, so called, do duty in a window for a couple of months, and disappear suddenly, only to re-appear in another establishment as an admittedly not very satisfactory example of Stradivari's "latest period." It is an ignoble fate, and may, perhaps, be best compared to that of a tailor's block, which one day represents a respectable church dignitary, and the next wears the sumptuary glories of an admiral of the fleet. C. G. Testore's wood is generally well chosen. His varnish is brownish and dry.
5A. M. Gavani is mentioned as at Bologna from 1685 to 1715, but nothing more is known of him. F. G. Gobetti worked at Venice, and has made violins of a good tone. They are of large model, well selected wood, and have nice red, but dry, varnish. The sound holes are after the style of G. B. Rugeri, and the purfling like that of Serafino, but not so well done. The corners and ribs are common. A ticket of his is dated 1715.
7A fine maker was Domenico Montagnana, who worked at Cremona and Venice from 1700 to 1740. He displayed great ability, but he did not leave many violins.
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