Raffaele Gagliano

History

Raffaele Gagliano (1791-1857) was born in Naples, Italy, the son of Giovanni Gagliano. He worked primarily in Naples, often in collaboration with his brother, Antonio Gagliano. According to Cecie Stainer, Raffaele died on December 9, 1857. After some years of instrument making, the brothers confined themselves to manufacturing strings, establishing a factory that became one of the best in Italy.

Craft

• Workmanship: The quality of Raffaele Gagliano's work is generally described as rather poor or ordinary. John Dilworth notes a crudely cut scroll, plain materials, and a diminished pattern with flat edges. George Hart states that the merit belonging to him and his brother is of the slightest kind, with some English provincial makers showing themselves superior.
• Archings: Despite other criticisms, his instruments are noted for good low arching.
• Materials: He frequently used slab-cut maple for the backs of his instruments, a practice that differed from other members of his family.
• Varnish: His instruments typically feature a nondescript thin brown varnish, as described by John Dilworth, or simply a brown lacquer according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.

Influence

• Family Lineage: Raffaele Gagliano was the son of Giovanni Gagliano and the grandson of Nicola Gagliano.
• Collaboration: He worked mostly with his brother, Antonio Gagliano.

Legacy

• Business Evolution: After a period of instrument making, Raffaele Gagliano and his brother Antonio transitioned their focus to manufacturing strings. Their string factory in Naples became renowned as one of the best in Italy.

Further Information

• Label Text: John Dilworth records two examples of labels used by Raffaele Gagliano. One reads: "Raffaele ed Antonio Gagliano / Quondam Giovanni / Neapoli 1857". Another, more detailed label, indicates their profession and address: "Raffaele, ed Antonio Gagliano / Fabricanti e Negozianti / Di Violini, Viole, Violoncelli, Controbassi, / e Corde armoniche / Strada Sedile di S. Giuseppe n.17 primo piano".

Summary

Raffaele Gagliano (1791-1857) was a Neapolitan instrument maker, son of Giovanni Gagliano and grandson of Nicola Gagliano. He often collaborated with his brother, Antonio Gagliano. While his instruments are generally considered to be of inferior quality, characterized by features such as crudely cut scrolls, plain materials, and nondescript brown varnish, they did exhibit good low arching and a distinctive use of slab-cut maple for backs. Later in his career, he and his brother shifted their focus to string manufacturing, establishing a factory in Naples that became one of Italy's best.