Page "Cello" Paragraph 2

Cellos were derived from other mid-to large-sized bowed instruments in the 16th century, such as the viola da gamba, and the generally smaller and squarer viola da braccio, and such instruments made by members of the Amati family of luthiers.

The invention of wire-wrapped strings in Bologna gave the cello greater versatility.

By the 18th century, the cello had largely replaced other mid-sized bowed instruments.