In the late 19th century Naples, violin making was carried on by Raffaele and Antonio Gagliano—considered the last successors of the so-called “Gagliano family” that began with Alessandro Gagliano (actve 1700–1730) in the 18th century—along with their younger brother Giovanni II, who was ten years their junior.

Ficera is said to have been a pupil of Vittorio Bellarosa, regarded as the last violin maker to inherit the authentic Neapolitan (Gagliano) tradition. He carried on the style of his master Bellarosa, creating remarkable instruments inspired by the Gagliano school as its foundation.

He later settled in Casoria, a town north of Naples, where he established his own style and continued to produce instruments.

This particular instrument features a flat arching designed for powerful projection and is modeled after the work of Vincenzo Sannino, a distinguished maker who was also active in Naples at the time.
It is finished with a light orange varnish, tinged with an amber hue.