Bow & Bridge Violin and bow makers, as the old books printed them

Books › Violin tone and violin makers, 1916 › scan 189

Scan 189

Violin tone and violin makers, 1916

2 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 167. See the scan on archive.org.

1a fine red varnish of much brilliance and soft quality; in many cases, however, he used the clear yellow preparation, characteristic of the Neapolitan school. Arching generally pretty full, and sometimes rather high. Wood frequently handsome, the backs of the instruments being generally divided. In the violins the scrolls are generally poor and of insignificant cut. In the violoncellos they are somewhat better. In the latter the back of the peg-box sometimes has an aperture cut in it, to facilitate stringing. Outline based on that of Stradivari; sound-holes very well cut, and frequently placed a shade high in instrument. They are generally set very upright in the bellies. He made a considerable number of examples inlaid with black ornamentation. Niccolò II. was a son of Giovanni Gagliano (Joannes), and was a maker of no particular account. He died about 1826. Gennaro (Jannarius), circa 1720-75, was the second son of Alessandro, and is now usually reckoned the best maker of the family. Instruments much rarer than those of Niccolò. In his best work the finish is excellent; and his varnish (orange-yellow or red) is almost uniformly of a superior kind. The pattern more or less after that of Stradivari. The scrolls well cut and of bolder character than those of the other Gagliani. Some of his fiddles and basses have contained Stradivari tickets and have passed as originals. The tone is round, equal, and free from the nasal character which is often observable in Neapolitan fiddles. Ferdinand, 1724-81. Was the eldest son of Niccolò I. A good workman. Pattern rather broad-looking. Arching moderate. Finish frequently somewhat careless. Joseph: worked until about 1795, and was the second son of Niccolò I. He was associated with a younger brother, Antonio, and the

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