Bow & Bridge Violin and bow makers, as the old books printed them

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Scan 34

A dictionary of violin makers

30 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 24. See the scan on archive.org.

1violin bow maker in the Blue Bell Alley, [address hidden], Southwark (1786-89); and, about 1798, became a dealer in and maker of violins in [address hidden], Covent Garden, moving to St. Martin's Lane, Charing Cross (1809); and finally became a harp and piano maker in [address hidden]. Very good violins were made in his workshop; but although they were all labelled "T Dodd, violin, violoncello, and bow maker, [address hidden], Covent Garden," they were almost without exception the work of Bernhard Fendt and John Lott, two extremely clever workmen, who were for a long time in his employ. Dodd himself had a thorough knowledge of Italian instruments, and showed great skill in his varnish, the secret of which he always kept, for he would take the unvarnished instruments—"in the white," to use the technical term—and varnish them himself unaided. His label especially alludes to this varnish: "Dodd, maker, 92, St. Martin's Lane. Perfect copies of Stradiuarius, Amati, Stainer, &c. Note.—The only possessor of the recipe for preparing the original Cremona oil varnish. Instruments improved and repaired." His violoncellos are worth £40 to £50.
3Dodd, Edward and Thomas, sons of Thomas Dodd, sen. They both learnt their trade from Bernhard Fendt, and carried on the business at St. Martin's Lane. Thomas showed ability, but died early in the 19th century, and Edward devoted himself more to making harps and pianos; he was drowned, April 29, 1843.
5Dominicelli (Dominicelli). A maker in Ferrara about 1695-1715, who first studied in Brescia, possibly under G. B. Rogeri. He copied the Amati pattern with great ability, using varnish of a golden-yellow colour, which was very effective.
7Dominichino, Giuseppe. In Verona, 1700. Followed the Amati pattern.
9Donato, Serafino. Working in Venice, 1410-11.
11Doni, Rocco. A priest in Florence, 1600-60, who made lutes and violins. It is probable that he greatly assisted the celebrated G. B. Doni (to whom he was related) in working out his idea of the "Lira Barberina," an instrument copied from the ancient Greeks.
13Dopfer (Döpfer), Nicolaus. A maker in Mayence about 1750-68. His instruments are well made, slightly arched, the sound-holes small but well cut, the varnish is brown. A few tenors of his are known.
15Dorant, William. Was working at 63, [address hidden], Brick Lane, Spitalfields, in 1814.
17Dorffel (Dörffel), Johann Andreas. A violin and lute maker in Klingenthal, Saxony, in 1743. In a viola d'amore, with twelve strings, yellow varnish, is the label: "Johann Andreas Dörffel, Violin und Lautenmacher, in Klingenthal, 1743."
19Drinda, Giacomo. A maker in Pianzo in the 18th century.
21Drögmeyer, Hermann August. A maker in Bremen. He published a book called "Die Geige, ein Beitrag zur Aufklärung," 1891.
23Drouleau or Droulot. A maker in Paris at [address hidden], about 1788-1800. His work was fair, he used brown varnish.
25Drouyn, Dimanche. A Parisian maker. A little pocket violin is known of his.
27Duchéron, Mathurin. Was a contemporary of Boquay and was working in Paris in 1714, according to the following label: "Mathurin Ducheron, a Paris, 1714."
29Duiffoprugcar (Duiffoproucart), Gaspard, b. about 1514 in Freising, Bavaria; d. about 1570, Lyons. Was the principal member of a large family of Germans, who were working in North Italy—Padua, Venice—till about the middle of the 17th century, and still later in South Germany. There is much variety in the way in which the family name is spelt, ranging from the German form "Tieffenbrücker," to "Dieffenbruger," "Duiffobrocard," "Duiffoprougar," "Duiffopruccar," "Dubrocard," "Dufourbourcar," "Duyfautbrocard," and "Diffobricard." The tradition that Gaspard was a viol maker in Bologna, and that, at the request of François I. of France, he accompanied him to Paris, seems to have no foundation. He probably learnt his trade in South Germany, and then went to Lyons, at that time celebrated, owing to the large fairs held there three times a year. The first definite mention of him there is a receipt for some wine signed by "Gaspard Duiffobrocard allemand," on Nov. 23, 1553; another receipt, signed "Gaspard Duiffoprougar" is dated Nov. 4, 1555. "Lettres de naturalité" were granted to Gaspard Dieffenbruger by Henri II., from Paris, in Jan., 1558. It was at Lyons that Pierre Woeiriot engraved, in 1562,

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