This illustration of an Antonio Gragnani violin was published in The Strad, March 1916. The following text is extracted from the article accompanying the photographs:

Made in Leghorn, Italy, Gragnani’s instruments almost always possess a good tone, and on occasion he could, and did produce examples of good form and finish, covered with a brilliant varnish of a quality above the average.

The pattern and style of his work are not unlike the Gagliano family. The outline suggests an Amati influence, but the instrument usually seen looks a shade longer and narrower than the more typical Amati type.

The scrolls, or at any rate those which I have seen, are poor in design and execution, and have a mean, pinched appearance, similar to that which one finds in the heads of many Gagliano fiddles – those of Niccolo for instance.

The bellies are acoustically good; the backs often plain or insignificantly figured; but now and again, as in the fiddle figured in the photograph, shewing a handsome curl.

The subject illustrated is a handsome example and in very sound preservation. The varnish is golden brown, workmanship good, and the material decidedly attractive in appearance. The tone is if fine quality and good volume.

The body measures 14 inches in length; 6 9/16 inches across the upper bouts, and 8 1/16 inches full across the lower bouts; the depth of the sides is 1 3/16 inches bare to full.

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