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

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Scan 65

A dictionary of violin makers

36 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 55. See the scan on archive.org.

1Salò and Maggini; his instruments were well made, with red-brown varnish, and had a good tone.
3Lapaix, J. A. A maker in Lille (Nord, France), who from 1840 to 1855 made various attempts to improve upon the usual violin pattern. The first instrument, dated "1840, No. 1," was of a very exaggerated character; he continued to make other instruments, which differed less from the traditional form, and tried the experiment of cutting the sides out of one piece of wood, hollowed out and carved in the usual shape, so that there were only six pieces instead of the usual twenty-four to join together. In 1848 he was awarded a medal by the Society for the Encouragement of National Industries, and in 1852 the merit of his instruments was noticed by the Imperial Society of Lille. He obtained a medal of the 2nd class at the Paris Exhibition, 1855. Label: "Fait par Lapaix luthier à Lille en 1843, Breveté."
5Laprévotte, Etienne, b. Mirecourt; d. 1856, Paris. He worked first at Marseilles and was still there in 1821, but from about 1823 was established in Paris. His violins were admired for the beautifully finished work; one is in the Paris Conservatoire Collection, its varnish is a very good colour; he received a "Mention" at the 1823 Exhibition, and a bronze medal in 1827. Soon after he began to make guitars and gained a great reputation, he and Lacôte being considered two of the best French makers of this instrument. Two fine guitars of his, with the label inside of "Guitare Laprévotte, dédiée aux dames," are in the Paris Conservatoire Collection. He received a "Mention" in 1834 and a bronze medal in 1844 for the guitars he exhibited.
7Larche. A maker in Brussels, 1847. He copied the instruments of old makers, and endeavoured to gain their quality of tone by the use of acids, but unfortunately the wood suffered thereby.
9Larcher, Pierre. A maker in Tours, 1785. He was a pupil of Guersan in Paris, but his work is very dissimilar; he used a brown varnish of poor quality. Label: "Larcher, Pierre, luthier de Paris, élève de Guersan, Grande Rue au Grand Dauphin à Tours, 1785."
11Laska, Joseph, b. March 18, 1738, at Rumburg; d. Nov. 30, 1805, at Prague. Was a pupil of J. Kolditz, later he travelled a good deal, working under some of the best makers in Dresden, Berlin, Vienna, and Brünn. In 1764 he settled in Prague, and proved an excellent workman, his instruments, violins, altos, violoncellos, violas d'amore, and mandolines, were especially liked in Bohemia, Saxony, and Poland.
13Laurent, Louis Sigismond. A maker in Paris about 1773-90. He worked at the sign "Au Cytre Allemand." In a theorbo with yellow varnish was the label: "Laurent luthier passage de Saumont, rue Montmartre près l'égout à Paris, 1774."
15Lausa. See "Lanza."
17Lautten, L. W. A maker in the Tyrol. One "fine and handsome" violin known.
19Lavazza (or Lacasso), Antonio Maria. A maker in Milan about 1700. Followed the Stradivari pattern, used a good varnish, pale red colour. Label: "Antonio Maria Lavazza fece in Milano in contrada larga, 1708."
21Lavazza, Santino. Was working in Milan at the same time as Antonio Maria Lavazza. Label: "Santino Lavazza fece in Milano in contrada larga, 1718."
23Lavinville. A maker in Paris in 1777, especially known for his mandolines.
25Leb (Leeb). Worked in Pressburg in the 18th century; was one of the best German makers of his time.
27Le Blanc. Was the name of a family of makers who through four generations worked in Paris. There was a Le Blanc still living in 1819, whose work was fair, he used brown varnish and branded his instruments "Le Blanc, Paris."
29Leblanc, Claude. A maker in Mirecourt in the 18th century.
31Le Blond, G. A maker in Dunkirk about 1775-90. A five-stringed viol with yellow varnish is dated 1789, and a cither, 1779. Another cither was signed "Leblond, Dunkerque." Label: "Fait par G. Le Blond à Dunkerque, 17—."
33Le Camus, Pierre. A maker of lutes in Lyons, 1573-75.
35Leclerc, J. N. Worked in Paris, 1760-80, in connection with the "Quinze-Vingt," thereby enjoying various privileges, such as not having to pay certain taxes, &c. Besides making new instruments, he was a clever repairer of old. Labels: "Racomodé par Leclerc au 15 vingt à Paris, 1771," and in a violin, "J. N. Leclerc, luthier aux quinze vingt à Paris, 1770." Other labels are known dated 1761, 1768, and 1777.

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