After great popularity in Italy, the mandolin came into favour in the Paris salons in about 1760, when the ‘galant’ (courtly, elegant) style was at its height and the virtuoso qualities of the Neapolitan mandolin players were greatly appreciated by members of the high society who frequented the salons. It was also in the eighteenth century that the finest mandolins were produced and advances were made in tuning, playing technique and tone.