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

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Scan 38

A dictionary of violin makers

38 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 28. See the scan on archive.org.

1Fendt, Francis, fourth son of Bernhard Fendt. Pupil of his eldest brother, Bernhard Simon. Worked for some time for the firm of Purdy and Fendt. In 1856 he was residing in Liverpool, gaining a very precarious living.
3Fendt, François, best known in France as Fent. A German maker who settled in Paris and was living there "cul-de-sac St.-Pierre, rue Montmartre," about 1763-91. In his time he had the reputation of being one of the cleverest makers in Paris; he carefully studied Italian instruments, particularly those of Ant. Stradivari; he used a beautiful red-brown oil varnish which, with the progress of time, has become almost black; his instruments are also much worm-eaten, but have a rich tone. His label, "Fait par Fent, maître luthier, rue Montmartre, cul-de-sac Saint-Pierre, à Paris," was found in a violin which might be mistaken for a most beautiful Italian instrument; the dimensions are exactly the same as those of a violin of Ant. Stradivari; the work is carefully finished, the wood excellent, and the tone very good, the original neck and scroll are still in place. An alto has also been seen and a violin, dated 1774, repaired by Delannoy, of Lille, in 1828.
5Fendt, Jacob, third son of Bernhard Fendt; b. about 1815, in London; d. about Oct., 1849, in Blue Anchor Court, [address hidden], Finsbury. Pupil of his eldest brother, Bernhard Simon. Was employed occasionally by W. Davis, of [address hidden], and also by Turner, a dealer in violins. He was almost the best maker among the sons of Bernhard, his copies of Italian, especially of Stradivari instruments, are very fine, the work being beautifully finished; unluckily he considered it necessary to give them the appearance of age and usage.
7Fendt, Martin, second son of Bernhard Fendt; b. July, 1812, in London; d. July, 1845, in Bell Alley, [address hidden]. Pupil of his father; he had talent, and was one of the good workmen employed by Arthur Betts, brother of John Betts.
9Fendt, William, second son of Bernhard Simon; b. 1833, in Finch Lane, London; d. 1852, at 7, [address hidden], Brompton, and was buried in Brompton Cemetery. Pupil of his father; he became a very clever workman, making excellent violas and double-basses.
11Ferati, Pietro. Was working in Sienna about 1754-64. His instruments are inferior, and he used brown varnish of bad quality. In a violin of very ordinary make, with broad purfling and thick brown varnish, was the label: "Pietro Ferati, fecit Siena, 1764."
13Féret. A pupil of Médard, who was working in Paris in 1708, according to the following label found in a violin with brown varnish: "Fait par Féret, élève de Médard, 1708." His instruments, following the Médard pattern generally, show good work, and the brown varnish is fairly brilliant.
15Ferguson, Donald. A maker in Huntley, Aberdeenshire.
17Ferguson and Son. Makers in Edinburgh at the beginning of the 19th century.
19Ferrari, Agostino. A maker in Budrio (Italy) in the 18th century.
21Ferrari, Alfonso. Working in Carpi (Modena) in 1738.
23Ferrari, Carlo. Was working in Siena in 1740.
25Ferrari, Gasparo. A maker in Rome in 1731 51. In a mandoline was the label: "Gasparus Ferrari, Romanus, fecit anno 1731."
27Feury (or Ferry), François, son-in-law of Leclerc the violin maker. Was working at rue de l'Arbre-sec, Paris, about 1750-60. His violins are on a small pattern, the sound-holes are small and well-cut, the varnish is a thick red, the work is good for the period. A guitar and a double-bass of his have been seen, but he devoted most of his time to making wind instruments. Labels: "F. Feury, rue de l'Arbre-sec, vis-à-vis Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois, Paris, 1755"; and "F. Feury, rue de Fossés, St-Germain-l'Auxerrois proche la rue de l'Arbre-sec à Paris, 17—."
29Fevrot. Worked in Lyons from 1780 to 1813. His work was poor. In an old Italian guitar was the label: "Racomodé par Fevrot, à Lyon, 1788."
31Feyzeau. A maker in Bordeaux in 1760. A lyre of his is well made, with varnish of a pale yellow colour. In a quinton, or five-stringed viol, also well made, with a pale brown varnish, was the label: "Feyzeau à Bordeaux, 1760."
33Fichthold (Fichtold), Hans. A German maker of fine lutes, who lived about 1612.
35Fichtl, Martin. A maker at Vienna about 1706-68. His instruments are of large pattern, he used wood of good quality, and excellent varnish.
37Ficker, Johann Christian. Was one of a family of makers in Markneukirchen.

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