Nicola Gagliano

(fl c1740–c1780) was a son of Alessandro Gagliano. The majority of his instruments were made between 1750 and 1770, though he is thought to have had a longer working life. They are all much influenced by Stradivari's work, and, with those of his brother Gennaro, are the most sought after of the Gaglianos. The quality of his work is consistently high, but a few of his violins are rather high-built and broad in measurement. Some of the violins with his original label show the collaboration of his son Giuseppe.

He made violins of at least three different sizes, one of them small and another rather too large, with a long string length. The soundholes have an exaggerated swing which can nevertheless be quite charming, but the scrolls are often pinched in design and crudely carved, sometimes with a little extra ornament to the pegbox. His cellos are especially good, but rare.