For Subscribers

Resurrection symphony: an 18th-century composite cello

2026-05-01T08:24:00

Hybrid cello

The careful restoration of a composite cello identified merely as ‘possibly Italian’ proved a journey of discovery for Sally Gosling and the family team at Chapel Violins, UK

A few years ago, a cello appeared at auction. Its condition was poor: the upper bass rib was loose and flapping, additional cracks ran through the ribs, and a layer of dirt had accumulated from years of neglect. ‘Possibly Italian’ was the title listing. Even in the cello’s neglected state, master restorer Paul Gosling still recognised the beauty of its varnish, which shifted from golden amber to a rich red–brown; its transparency allowed the maple’s narrow flame to move beneath the surface…

Already subscribed? Please sign in

Subscribe to continue reading…

We’re delighted that you are enjoying our website. For a limited period, you can try an online subscription to The Strad completely free of charge.

  • Free 7-day trial

    Not sure about subscribing? Sign up now to read this article in full and you’ll also receive unlimited access to premium online content, including the digital edition and online archive for 7 days.

    Free trial

    No strings attached – we won’t ask for your card details

  • Subscribe 

    No more paywalls. To enjoy the best in-depth features and analysis from The Strad’s latest and past issues, upgrade to a subscription now. You’ll also enjoy regular issues and special supplements* and access to an online archive of issues back to 2010.

    Subscribe

 

* Issues and supplements are available as both print and digital editions. Online subscribers will only receive access to the digital versions.