Object Details
maker
Gagliano, Ferdinand
Description
This violin was made by Ferdinand Gagliano in Naples, Italy around 1780. The violin retains its original, but reset neck. It bears a facsimile Gagliano label inserted by violin maker and restorer, Simone Saconi, in 1961. Ferdinand Gagliano built this instrument in a diminutive “7/8” size, probably like many other small instruments of the 18th century. The violin has an unusually large sound and in the 1950s it was frequently loaned by Rembert Wurlitzer (the New York authority and dealer) for important solo performances by young artists in New York City. Many students of Ivan Galamian played this violin in concert during their youth. The violin is made of a two-piece table of spruce, back of maple in one piece with faint horizontal figure prominent on the right side, ribs of similar maple, an original plain maple neck, pegbox and scroll, and golden orange varnish.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1778-1782
ID Number
1979.0172.01
accession number
1979.0172
catalog number
1979.0172.01
Object Name
violin
Physical Description
spruce (table material)
maple (back material)
Measurements
overall: 23 in x 7 7/8 in x 3 7/8 in; 58.42 cm x 20.0025 cm x 9.8425 cm
Place Made
Italy: Campania, Naples
Related Publication
George Frideric Handel. Seven Concerti Grossi, Op. 3
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
Music & Musical Instruments
Violins
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_605486