There are as many as eighteen violin makers named Gagliano that are known worldwide today. Below are a few of the more recognizable luthier

Luthier

A luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string instruments. In the United States, the term is used interchangeably with a term for the specialty of each maker, such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc...

s.

Alessandro Gagliano

(c. 1700 - c. 1735) Naples, Italy. As a youth, Alessandro worked in the shops of famed luthier

Luthier

A luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string instruments. In the United States, the term is used interchangeably with a term for the specialty of each maker, such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc...

s Nicolo Amati

Nicolò Amati

Niccolò Amati was an Italian luthier from Cremona.-Biography:Nicolò Amati was the fifth son of Girolamo Amati and the grandson of Andrea Amati, the founder of the Amati Family of violin makers. Of all the Amati Family violins, those of Nicolò are often considered most suitable for modern playing...

 and Antonio Stradivari

Antonio Stradivari

Antonio Stradivari was an Italian luthier and a crafter of string instruments such as violins, cellos, guitars, violas, and harps. Stradivari is generally considered the most significant artisan in this field. The Latinized form of his surname, Stradivarius, as well as the colloquial, "Strad", is...

. After returning to Naples from Cremona

Cremona

Cremona is a city and comune in northern Italy, situated in Lombardy, on the left bank of the Po River in the middle of the Pianura Padana . It is the capital of the province of Cremona and the seat of the local City and Province governments...

, he became the founder of the Neapolitan school. Authentic examples of his instruments in good condition are scarce. A few violas, cellos, one double bass, and several violins have survived.

• Typical label:

Alexandri [or Alessandro] Gagliano

Alumnus Antonio Stradivarius

fecit Anno 1722

Nicolò Gagliano I

(c. 1740 - c. 1780) Naples, Italy. Nicolò Gagliano

Nicolò Gagliano

Nicolo Gagliano was an Italian violin-maker, the eldest son of Alessandro Gagliano. He made many admirable instruments; often imitated. Some have been mistaken for those of Stradivari.Typical labels:Nicolaii Gagliano fecitin Napoli 1711...

 was the eldest son of Alessandro and made many admirable instruments in his long life. His instruments have been often imitated and even occasionally mistaken for those belonging to Stradivari

Antonio Stradivari

Antonio Stradivari was an Italian luthier and a crafter of string instruments such as violins, cellos, guitars, violas, and harps. Stradivari is generally considered the most significant artisan in this field. The Latinized form of his surname, Stradivarius, as well as the colloquial, "Strad", is...

.

• Typical label:

Nicolaii Gagliano fecit

in Napoli 1711

Gennaro or Januarius Gagliano

(c. 1740 - c. 1780) Naples, Italy. The second son of Alessandro, Gennaro created some well-made instruments and had a prominent position in the family.

Fernando Gagliano

(c. 1770 - c. 1795) He was the eldest son of Nicolò

Nicolò Gagliano

Nicolo Gagliano was an Italian violin-maker, the eldest son of Alessandro Gagliano. He made many admirable instruments; often imitated. Some have been mistaken for those of Stradivari.Typical labels:Nicolaii Gagliano fecitin Napoli 1711...

I and made some magnificent as well as nondescript trade instruments. However, he had a prodigious output of instruments. Occasionally, instruments with his label actually belonged to his father or to his brother.