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

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Scan 21

A dictionary of violin makers

44 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 11. See the scan on archive.org.

1work and have a fine oil varnish. Pietro Valentino Novello was a pupil of his.
3Boivin, Claude. A maker in Paris about 1735-53. A violin with rose-coloured varnish was well made and had the label: "Claude Boivin, rue Tiquetonne, 'à la guitare royale,' à Paris, 1746." Two similar labels were dated 1744 and 1748. A bass-viol is dated 1735, and a guitar in the Paris Conservatoire Collection, made for the daughter of Louis XV., is dated 1749.
5Bolles. One of the earliest makers of lutes and viols in London in the beginning of the 17th century. Mace ("Musick's Monument," publ. 1676), speaking of a good "chest of viols," says: "Yet the highest in esteem are Bolles . . . (one Bass of Bolles's I have known valued at £100) . . . these were old . . . &c."
7Bomberghi, Lorenzo A maker in Florence towards the end of the 17th century.
9Bomé, Thomas. In a violin of ordinary workmanship in the Paris Conservatoire Collection is the following label. "Thomas Bomé, Versailles, 1790."
11Bongars, Simon. Only known by a bass-viol with six strings, dated 1655.
13Bonoris, Cesare. A maker of excellent viols in Mantua, 1658.
15Booth, William, b. 1779; believed to have died 1857 or 1858. At first a hairdresser, but 1809 commenced to make and repair violins. Label: "Wm. Booth, maker, Leeds, 1828."
17Booth, William, son of W. Booth, senior, b. 1816, Leeds; d. June 1, 1856; buried at Burmantofts Cemetery. Employed by Henri Gugel, 1834-38. Returned to Leeds (1838) and began business as an instrument maker. He was a clever workman.
19Boquay (Bocquay), Jacques, b. at Lyons. Worked in Paris about 1705-35, was living rue de la Juiverie, 1718, but went to rue d'Argenteuil, 1719. Made too many instruments to finish them with care. His violins are good, though inferior to those of Pierray, his contemporary. He followed the Amati pattern his instruments are small, slightly arched, the tone generally poor owing to the thicknesses being badly calculated; the varnish, very transparent, is red-brown, sometimes yellow colour. His violoncellos are handsome instruments and have a fine tone. Label: "Jacques Boquay, rue d'Argenteuil à Paris, 1723." An alto was dated 1709, a violin dated 1718 in the Paris Conservatoire collection was one on which Baillot used to play when teaching. A violoncello dated 1719 and a violin dated 1730 are also known.
21Borbon (Bourbon), Gaspar Worked in Brussels. A viola of his is dated 1692. He made violins, altos, and double-basses, after the pattern of Gasparo da Salò, with perpendicular sound-holes, widely opened. An alto, curiously made, with yellow varnish, was exhibited at Paris, 1878.
23Borelli, Andreas. Worked in Parma about 1730-47. His instruments are liked in Italy, the pattern is similar to that of Lorenzo Guadagnini, but the varnish is not so beautiful. Label: "Andreas Borelli, fecit Parmae, anno 1746."
25Borlon (Porlon), Artus or Arnould. A maker of stringed instruments, principally cithers, in Antwerp about 1579.
27Borlon, François. A maker in Antwerp about 1680-1710. A bass-viol of his in the Church of St. James, Antwerp, is said to have a beautiful tone.
29Borlon, Jean. Worked about 1680-1710 in Antwerp.
31Bortolotti, Luigi. A maker in Milan about 1810-15. His instruments are carefully made, with yellow varnish. "Luigi Bortolotti, 1815," was found stamped on a cither.
33Bosi. See "Basi."
35Bossu. See "Boussu."
37Boucher. Worked in London in 1764.
39Boullangier, Charles, b. 1823, Mirecourt; d. Oct., 1888. Learnt his trade in Mirecourt till 1843. Then worked in Paris under Vuillaume till 1846, and 1846-49 under Gand and Bernardel. Went to London, March, 1849, and made violins for Edward Withers till 1856, when he started his own business. He made a great many violins, violas, and violoncellos, generally copied from Stradivari or Guarneri patterns, and used a dark red varnish. He exhibited in 1862, 1872, and 1888, and was awarded two diplomas and a silver medal.
41Boumeester (Baumeester), Jan A maker in Amsterdam about 1637-68. A violoncello of large pattern, with carved scroll and varnished yellow, was labelled "Jan Boumeester, me fecit in Amsterdam, anno 1637." In a five-stringed bass-viol with carved head and yellow varnish was the label: "Jean Baumeester, Amsterdam, 1667."
43Bourbon. See "Borbon, Gaspar."

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