Giovanni Battista Gabrielli

Violin maker
(1716 – 1771)

Giovanni Battista Gabrielli was a pre-eminent maker of the Florentine school. He may have received some instruction from Bartolomeo Cristofori, who had worked for Nicolò Amati before arriving in Florence in 1709, where he obtained a royal appointment. What is known about Cristofori's work is distinctly Cremonese in style, ...Read More but he consistently worked in the manner of Stainer, which remained the prevailing influence in Florence throughout the 18th century. He seldom exaggerated the model in the destructive way of many Stainer followers, and his work was generally well-controlled and craftsmanlike. The scrolls were nicely contrived, though somewhat broad through the second turn. The 'f' holes were very elegant, often successfully combining elements of Stainer and Stradivari. The varnish was a rich golden-yellow or orange with good even consistency. The materials used were good, but the best cuts of maple were rarely encountered. He made much use of beech wood in purfling and the interior. His work did vary to some extent, but this aspect was exacerbated by many speculative attributions; imitations of his label were often found in Tyrolean work. Most dictionaries listed several other makers in the Gabrielli family: Antonio, Bartolomeo, Cristoforo, etc., but their existence was not yet supported by historical research, and these may have been fictitious names used in less convincing imitations. He branded his work on the back button with 'G. B. G'. Read Less

Price History

- The auction record for this maker is $470,000 in Oct 2014, for a cello.
- 113 auction price results.

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