"The eldest son of Nicolas. His work is wider in shape and the workmanship rougher than that of his father, and it bears a quite individual stamp. The neat and pretty scrolls are carved in an Amati style, the varnish is brownish yellow and rather insipid. His work has good tonal qualities, and is greatly valued."
-Walter Hamma, Italian Violin Makers
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"GAGLIANO, FERDINANDO - Eldest son of Niccolo (I). Born 1706. Died 1784. Worked at Naples. Earliest dated instruments rather follow the modelling of father, something similar to the first period Stradivarius. Body length 35.4 cm. Later set out on a path of his own but occasionally ran across the other, forming a peculiar character entirely his own, and one which a pen cannot intelligently delineate though the eye can instantly perceive, Body length 36 cm. Outline generally rather heavy, and differs materially from that of the other members of the family. Arching slightly more pronounced than Niccolo favoured, sometimes even rather abrupt in its rise near the middle of the span, though beautifully steady from the margins, also differently arranged in the back and arching slightly moderated. Margins very prominent. in fact the whole model is broadly proportioned, and certainly perfect in its style. Corners often very robust. Middle bouts rather deeply cut one of his independent wanderings. Sound-holes unusually long for a Gagliano. Purfling often treated indifferently. but also occasionally with painstaking care. Scrolls frequently portrayed with real grandeur and largeness which is completely consonant with the general structure. Some times. however, there is a somewhat sudden spreading-out at the bottom of the volute which has called forth criticism from connoisseurs. Beautifully soft orange red varnish, possibly the darkest shade used by any of the Gaglianos also a golden yellow toned down from the hard brilliancy usually associated with the Neapolitan school. Some instruments have a remarkably fine tone. richly sonorous and splendidly penetrating. 400 guineas was reached at Puttick's sale room in 1920, but was withdrawn as it did not reach the reserve price. One particularly fine example, dated 1782, formed part of the collection belonging to the American millionaire Partello. Back wonderfully beautiful, the loveliest possible broad flames also widely separated, and the top of remarkable fine-grain material. Broad model with pronounced purfling very perfectly done. Orange-red varnish three parts covering the back. Acquired by Lyon & Healy of Chicago and catalogued by them at 5,000 dollars. Another magnificent specimen was once owned by Messrs. Balfour & Co.. of London. Long pattern distinctly Cremonese in contour. Neat inlaying all round, instead of the usual purfling. Pine of very fine silky grain, mottled or "flowered" in parts. Made a number of half, and three-quarter size violins. Also several small violas well under 15 inches in body length. Some of these have been reduced and converted into large violins. Cellos 10 union with a noble gracefulness handsome backs and ribs,. very fine golden brown varnish, and incomparably beyond anything of the other Gaglianos in Point of tone. Body length 75 cm. Many guitars also bear his label, A few double basses complete his astonishing productivity. Made a lot of instruments of a nondescript kind for the trade at cheap prices, and these, showing decadence in workmanship and often inaccurate thicknesses, etc., attached a certain appro num to his name for many years. labels, Some with decorative border, others plain..."
-William Henley, The Universal Dictionary of Violin and Bowmakers
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