Gennero Gagliano Viola (baroque)

This viola was made by Gennero Gagliano in Naples, Italy, in 1762. It is a baroque viola made of a two-piece table of spruce, two-piece back of maple with irregular mild horizontal figure, ribs of similar maple, similar maple neck, pegbox and scroll, and semi-transparent orange-brown varnish. There is an original printed label inside the instrument:

Januarius Gaglianus
Fecit Neap. 1762

[“62” handwritten]

An additional printed label with a religious inscription is on the top block:

In conceptione tua virgo Maria Immaculata fuisti Ora pro nobix Patrem, cujus Filiam Jesum de Sp. s.peperisti

["In thy conception, Virgin Mary, didst thou remain immaculate Pray for us to the Father, whose son Jesus thou hast born from the Holy Ghost"]

Gennaro Gagliano (1690-1771) produced a limited number of small violas similar to this example. Recent investigation has shown that the demand for these instruments centered around the requirement that violinists be able to play with facility upon the viola. An instrument of small compass would simplify the necessary adjustments in performance technique in changing from a violin. This viola is in an outstanding state of preservation. The bass-bar, willow blocks and linings, and ebony saddle are original. The untouched original neck, pegbox and scroll are possibly the collaborative work of Gennaro and his nephew, Ferdinand Gagliano

Highly regarded as a maker, Gennaro (Januarius) is often regarded as the greatest craftsman of the Gagliano family. The religious inscription cited above was used in a variety of forms by members of the Gagliano family in instruments they probably completed with special pride. Such labels were frequently placed on the top block beneath or between nails holding the neck in place. Many such labels with religious dedications have likely been lost during the conversions of instruments from original (baroque) to modern proportions.

Thomas Eberle, who worked in Naples, ca. 1753-1792, was perhaps a student of Nicolo Gagliano and is also known to have used a religious dedicatory label: Gesu e Maria, also affixed to the top-block.