Nicolò Gagliano


Nicolò Gagliano , was an Italian violin-maker, the eldest son of Alessandro Gagliano. He made many admirable instruments, often imitated. Some have been mistaken for those of Stradivari. Nicolò was a more prolific maker than his brother Gennaro. Nicolò and Gennaro are considered the greatest luthiers in the Gagliano family and the pinnacle of Neapolitan violin-making. Although Nicolò's work is not always entirely consistent in quality, it often shows great distinction. His instruments have bold and well-proportioned archings, with the instrument scrolls having a distinctive elongated pegbox and small tight spiral. He often placed a small label with a religious dedication inside his instruments.
Nicolò Gagliano had four sons, all makers — Ferdinando, Giuseppe, Antonio, and Giovanni. Giuseppe's three sons Raffaele, Antonio and Nicolò were also violin makers and carried the family's violin-making tradition into the middle of the 19th century.
Typical labels:


Nicolaii Gagliano fecit

in Napoli 1711



Nicolaus Gagliano filius

Alexandri fecit Neap. 1732