Joseph Gagliano Violin circa 1771

[tsmith]

Hi guys, my uncle has come across a violin and I'd like your opinion on whether it is a genuine Gagliano violin.
It's a beautiful piece, but it has no authenticity certificate so we can't be sure.
Here's a few pictures:

[mart]

Is it a paper label on the inside ??

[mart]

http://www.jordansandquist.com/gallery/italy/gagliano_family/gagliano_bros/index.html 
Here you can see a label from the time period to compare !!  From what I have read Gagliano was not one of the great violin makers !!  In fact there were several Gagliano brothers and family that made violins !!  From what I can tell,, yours does look consistant with his in the use of figured maple for backs and plain wood front !!  According to this site in excellent condition you could expect $1 to $2,000. here but in Europe they sell for much less !!  It would be worth a hands on by someone knowlegable !!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Look up luthiers (violin repair person) in your area. He or she should be able to tell you all about it.

[tsmith]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I was also under the same impression that you were, that Gaglianos were'nt particularly spectacular. However, I have found some very similar pieces going for quite impressive prices under the hammer, have a look for yourselves:

http://www.skinnerinc.com/asp/fullCataloguese.asp?salelot=2274++++++87+&refno=++588612

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/947902

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17856/lot/87/   <--- this violin is by the same maker, but is a slightly different model

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/joseph-gagliano-a-violin-naples-circa-1777/5482802/lot/lot_details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=5482802&sid=f3002e9b-e1b2-4170-8e4e-7da2b12f167b

Thanks

[mart]

Yes I checked those but I wouldn`t put much faith in those prices !! I checked with several active forums and really nice ones in great condition were about $1,000. to $1,500. !!

[tsmith]

Yes I checked those but I wouldn`t put much faith in those prices !! I checked with several active forums and really nice ones in great condition were about $1,000. to $1,500. !!

Thank you for your reply, I shall inform my uncle to not invest!

[mart]

LOL !!  Just tell him not to buy that new Cadillac till he has someone look at it !!  Didn`t even notice before but the label on the original at the link I gave is different from yours !! Yours looks to be all caps and the original is upper case and lower case letters !!  Thats odd unless there were several styles of labels !! The original is for two of the brothers and yours is only Joseph isn`t it ?? Could be he used a different label !!