Joseph Gaffino

History

Joseph Gaffino (circa. 1720-1789) was born around 1720 in Turin, Italy, and died in 1789 in Paris, France, according to John Dilworth's The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers. He was apprenticed to Castagneri in Paris early in the 18th century. Gaffino established his own workshop in 1742 at the sign of 'la Musette de Colin' in rue des Prouvaires. In 1766, he was made Dean of the Luthiers' Guild. The inventory of his workshop, overseen by Guersan in 1789, listed a large amount of stock, including 67 violins by his old master Castagneri and three hundred pieces of cut maple for ribs, indicating a thriving business. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that his widow continued the business after his death.

Craft

• Style: Gaffino's work was very much in the style of Castagneri, featuring delicate Amatisé modelling.
• Varnish: He used golden yellow or orange varnish, as noted by John Dilworth. Other sources, such as Cecie Stainer and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, describe his varnish as pale red or yellow.
• Scrolls: Typically, the eyes of his scrolls were embellished with carved roses.
• Workmanship: His violins are described as carefully made.
• Instruments Produced & Traded: Gaffino's business involved making, selling, buying, and renting various musical instruments, including violins, basses d'orchestre, violoncellos, alto-viola, and violes d'amour. He also sold instruments by other makers, such as violins and basses from Cremona and basses de viole d'Angleterre.
• Notable Instruments: An alto of large pattern, dated 1748 from rue des Prouvaires, is mentioned as the only one known by Cecie Stainer and is housed in the Cons. des Arts et Métiers in Paris, according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.

Influence

• Mentorship: Joseph Gaffino was a pupil of Castagneri in Paris.
• Collaboration: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff suggests that Gaffino might have later been a partner ('Consorto') with Castagneri, interpreting the abbreviation 'Cto.' as such.

Legacy

• Professional Recognition: Gaffino was made Dean of the Luthiers' Guild in 1766.
• Workshop Continuity: After his death, his widow continued the business from the same address in rue des Prouvaires, as noted by Cecie Stainer and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
• Museum Presence: An alto of large pattern from 1748 is preserved in the Cons. des Arts et Métiers in Paris.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: His workshop was located at the sign of 'la Musette de Colin' in rue des Prouvaires, Paris.
• Labels: Examples of his labels include "Gaffino Cto di Castagnery / rue des Prouvaires / Pariggi 1743" and a more extensive advertisement: "A la Musetta de Colin / Joseph Gaffino, maître et marchand luthier / à Paris, rue des Prouvaires / fait, vend, achète, et loue toutes sortes d’instruments de / Musique, savoir—violons, basses d'orchestre, violoncelles, alto-viola / violes d’amour, et toutes sortes de un façon / Il vend aussi violons et basses de Crémone, / basses de viole d'Angleterre et de toutes / sortes d’auteurs, etc, etc".
• Business Card: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff mentions that Gaffino also used a business card.

Summary

Joseph Gaffino (circa. 1720-1789) was a significant Parisian luthier of Italian origin, apprenticed to Castagneri. He established his workshop in 1742 at 'la Musette de Colin' in rue des Prouvaires and became Dean of the Luthiers' Guild in 1766. His work, characterized by delicate Amatisé modelling and golden yellow or orange varnish, closely followed Castagneri's style, often featuring carved roses on the scroll eyes. Gaffino's thriving business involved both instrument making and extensive trade, including selling and renting a wide variety of instruments, even those from other renowned makers. His workshop inventory in 1789 indicated a prosperous enterprise, which his widow continued after his death.