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

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Scan 41

A dictionary of violin makers

50 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 31. See the scan on archive.org.

1label were added in manuscript the number of the instrument, the date, and the 'jun.' He married, 1786, and had two sons, both violin makers.
3Forster, William, eldest son of William Forster (1764-1824), b. Dec. 14, 1788, London; d. Oct. 8, 1824, Cheltenham. Pupil of both his father and grandfather; he also worked with Thomas Kennedy. Probably only made twelve or fifteen instruments: two or three violins and one violoncello were well made, the work being beautifully finished; the others, made to supply wholesale orders, are inferior.
5Fouquet. See "Lecomte."
7Fraiser, Giorgio. Was working in Cremona, 1666, in the workshop of Nicola Amati.
9Franck. Working in Ghent, 1800-30. Was a sculptor before he became a maker; he was extremely clever at repairing instruments, but made few new ones.
11Frankland. Was working in London in 1785, in Robin Hood Court, Shoe Lane, and was occasionally employed by the William Forsters.
13Frebrunet, Jean. A maker in Paris about 1750-60. His violins show carefully finished work, with a yellow-brown oil varnish of good effect. In a violin was the label: "Joannes Frebrunet, 1760."
15Freeman. See "Hare."
17Frey, Hans, b. about 1440, at Nuremberg; d. there 1523. A maker of lutes and viols, also a clever performer on them. The lutes of the old German makers were very celebrated and fetched high prices.
19Fritsche (Fritzche), Samuel. A maker in Leipzig about 1787. Was a pupil of C. H. Hunger. He made good instruments, following the Cremona models, and using amber-coloured varnish, he was also very clever at repairing instruments.
21Fryer, Charles. Worked in London and then in Leeds, becoming a partner with M. W. Dearlove there. He died 1840.
23Furber, David. Was the first member of this family to make violins. Learnt his trade from John Johnson (1750-60), a maker in London.
25Furber, Henry John, son and pupil of John Furber. He continued the business in [address hidden], London, and has made many good instruments.
27Furber, James, eldest son of Matthew Furber, sen. It is doubtful if he made new instruments.
29Furber, John, third son of Matthew Furber, sen. Pupil of his father, became an excellent workman and clever repairer. Made numerous violins, following the Amati pattern. He also worked for J. E. Betts at the Royal Exchange. Label: "John Furber, maker, [address hidden] John's Row, top of Brick Lane, [address hidden], Saint Luke, 1813." In 1841 he was living in Cow Cross, Smithfield.
31Furber, Matthew, sen., son of David Furber. Pupil of his father. He died about 1790, and was buried at Clerkenwell Church.
33Furber, Matthew, second son of Matthew Furber, sen. Pupil of his father. He died about 1830-1, and was buried at Clerkenwell Church.
35Fux, Matthew. A maker of fine lutes to the Court of Vienna in the 17th century.
37G.
39Gabrielli, Antonio. Worked in Florence about 1760. He made good violins, with golden-coloured varnish. Label: "Antonio Gabrielli, fece in Firenze, 1760, f."
41Gabrielli, Bartolommeo. A maker in Florence about 1730.
43Gabrielli, Cristoforo. Worked in Florence about 1730.
45Gabrielli, Giovanni Battista. A maker in Florence about 1740-70. Many well made instruments are known, of good tone; he used excellent wood, and a transparent yellow or pale red varnish; his violoncellos and altos are considered his best work; they are often branded with his initials, G. B. G. Labels: "Johannes Baptista Gabrielli, Florentinus, fecit 1742"; and "Gio. Battista Gabrielli, fece in Firenze, 1757"; a similar one dated 1763.
47Gaetano, Antoniazzi, b. 1825, Cremona; d. 1897, Milan. A good maker, gained medals of honour. His son Romeo was also a maker.
49Gaffino, Giuseppe. An Italian, a pupil of Castagnery, who worked in Paris, rue des Prouvaires, about 1745-83; his widow was still living at the same address in 1789. His violins are carefully made and he used pale red or yellow varnish. An alto of large

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