Stradivari fecit Neapoli anno 1725.

A pupil of Antonio Stradivari. The Gagliano family played no
unimportant part in the art of Italian Violin-making. It commences
with Alessandro, who imitated his master as regards the form which he
gave to his instruments. Alessandro Gagliano, upon leaving the
workshop of Stradivari, removed to Naples, a city which afforded him
greater scope for the exercise of his talents than Cremona. With
others, he felt that his chance of success was very small if he
remained on ground occupied by the greatest luminaries of his art. His
labours at Naples seem to have been so well rewarded that he caused
his sons to follow his calling. There is evidence of their having
enjoyed what may be termed a monopoly of the Violin manufacture in and
around Naples, there being no record of another maker of importance in
that locality at the same period. To these makers we are indebted for
the Neapolitan School. Although in its productions we miss the
lustrous varnish and handsome wood of Cremona, Naples has furnished us
with many excellent instruments.

The works of Alessandro Gagliano are mostly of large pattern and flat
model. If we compare them with those of his master, the resemblance is
not so great as might be expected, if it be remembered that they are
copies, and not original works. The sound-holes are broader and more
perpendicular than those of Stradivari. The scroll is diminutive, and
the turn much contracted and of a somewhat mean appearance. The
workmanship of the scroll is roughly executed, and points to the
conclusion that Alessandro Gagliano was not gifted with the power of
head-cutting. The character of Gagliano's Violins frequently reminds
us of those by Stradivari made between 1725 and 1730.[5]

[Footnote 5: Some of his Basses are of exceptionally fine
workmanship.]

The wood used for the backs was generally of a tough nature; the back
and sides are often marked with a broad curl. The bellies are of wide
and even grain, and very resonant. The varnish is quite distinct from
that of Cremona; it is very transparent, and of various shades,
chiefly yellow.

GAGLIANO, Gennaro, Naples, 1720 to about 1758; finely finished.

Januarius Gagliano, filius Alexandri
fecit Neap, 1732--

Well-chosen wood, and excellent form. He sometimes wrote his name in
pencil on the inside of the belly.

GAGLIANO, Niccolo, Naples, son of Alessandro.

Nicolaus Gagliano filius Alexandri
f