G.B. Gabrielli violin, 1763, Florence, with Ifshin certificate | Metzler Violins

[further details about this instrument are forthcoming]

About the Instrument
This violin's caramel varnish is applied over a golden ground, bringing out the medium curl tiger flame that falls slightly from the center joint of its two-piece maple back. A similar figure runs along the ribs and scroll. This instrument is somewhat smaller than most full-sized violins, as is common of this luthier’s patterns. This violin is in good condition and ready to be played.

Length: 351 mm
Upper Bouts: 163 mm
Middle: 110 mm
Lower Bouts: 200 mm

About the Maker
Giovanni Battista Gabrielli (1736-1787) was born and worked in Florence. He likely trained under Bartolomeo Cristofori, an acolyte of Jacob Stainer. The German-Austrian maker loomed large in central Italy during the period in which Gabrielli was working, which may be why Gabrielli’s patterns and habits often emulate Stainer’s. Gabrielli’s violins echo those of Pier Lorenzo Vagelisti and Stainer for their high arches, though not as high as luthiers of the time, setting Gabrielli apart from his contemporaries. He was a precise and meticulous craftsman, selecting good quality woods for his instruments. His f-holes are an amalgamation of Stainer and Stradivari, and Gabrielli's varnishes are often amber in color, applied with painstaking care in thin, even layers. In terms of tone, his violins are known for their nuanced, bold, and clear timbres. His cellos are particularly excellent and desired. Gabrielli likely mentored the Carcassi brothers in their craft. Despite his fame and general acceptance as the premier Florentine luthier of his era, Gabrielli wasn’t a prolific maker. Authentic Gabrielli instruments are a rarity.