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Scan 105
A dictionary of violin makers
22 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 95. See the scan on archive.org.
1difficulty of bow makers. He was able to definitely settle the correct length and curvature of the stick, the gradual tapering towards the point, and also invented a method of spreading the hairs of the bow and fixing them on the face of the nut by means of a moveable band of metal, fitting on a slide of mother-o'-pearl. In fact, he practically invented the modern bow, and has well been called the "Stradivari" of the bow, for his skill has never been equalled. Most of his great work was done after 1775. Viotti, who arrived in Paris in 1782, is said to have suggested many of the improvements that were required from a violinist's point of view. He worked until he was eighty-five, when failing eyesight necessitated a rest. He himself charged 12 louis d'or (about £10) for the bows mounted in gold, and 3½ louis d'or (nearly £3) for those mounted in silver, but they now fetch from £20 each; for Tourte's bows are always preferred to any others by violinists, and as yet show no signs of wear. Violoncello bows are rarer; at a sale in Paris, Feb. 5, 1887, one was sold to Messrs. Hill and Son for £44. Several of his bows are in the Paris Conservatoire Collection, they are never marked; only two are known with small engraved labels: "Cet archet a été fait par Tourte en 1824, âgé de soixante-dix-sept ans." His bows were so closely imitated by other makers that it is not easy always to distinguish between the original and the copy.
3Tourte, le Père. Settled in Paris about 1740. Was a clever bow maker; his work showed great improvement on that of his predecessors; he used lighter wood and proportioned his bow more accurately, giving it the backward bend indispensable to its elasticity. He invented the nut worked by a propelling and withdrawing screw, the nut and head of the screw were generally of ivory. The bows are elegantly fluted for half or the whole of the length, the head is lighter and more elegant. He had two sons, Xaver and the celebrated François.
5Tourte, Xaver (l'aîné), eldest son of Tourte père. Worked with him for some time and finally succeeded to his business. Although inferior to his father as a workman, he made some excellent bows. It is said that he was in partnership with François, the latter making the sticks and Xaver the nuts and fittings; but they quarrelled and separated, each one continuing to work alone. Xaver reproduced as much as possible the improvements made by his brother in the bow.
7Trapani, Raffaele. A maker in Naples about 1810. His workmanship is good and original in character; his violins are on a large pattern, with prominent edges, and heavy purfling; the scroll is heavy and of the Brescian type; the varnish is rather thick and of a red-brown colour. Label: "Raffaele Trapani, Napoli, No. —."
9Trévillot, Claude. A maker in Mirecourt about 1698.
11Trinelli, Giovanni. An Italian maker.
13Trunco. Worked in Cremona in 1660.
15Truska, Simon Joseph, b. April 5, 1734, Raudnitz, Bohemia; d. Jan. 14, 1809, Strahow Monastery. Entered Strahow Monastery, Dec. 8, 1758, taking the vows, Jan. 1, 1761. Became proficient as a musician and composer, and then began to construct instruments, making violins, altos, violas d'amore, and bass-viols.
17Tubbs, James. A maker of excellent bows, who lives in [address hidden], London. His father and grandfather were also bow makers, their work being very similar to that of Dodd. James Tubbs' bows are made on scientific principles, and are of elegant appearance; they are much liked by players for their lightness and good balance, and rank among the best made.
19Turner, William. Was working in London in 1650. In a viola di bordone, or baryton, of beautiful workmanship, and made of splendid wood, is the label: "William Turner, at ye hand and crown in gravelle lane neere Aldgate, London, 1650."
21Tywersus. Was maker to the Prince of Lorraine at the beginning of the 16th century; his instruments are very similar to those of Andrea Amati. Nicolas Renault was a pupil of his.
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