Dictionary of Makers

Ferdinando Gagliano was one ofthe four sons ofNicola Gagliano, all ofwhom were engaged in violin making. It is generally accepted, however, that Ferdinando was a pupil of his uncle, Gennaro.

 

Unlike his brothers, Giuseppe and Antonio, Ferdinando seems to have worked primarily on his own, without any direct collaboration with the other members of the family. His choice of wood was often rather plain, as seen in the circa 1770 violin on pp. 222-223, but occasionally he excelled both in his choice of materials and in workman- ship, as shown by the ex-Partello violin of 1782 on pp. 224- 225.