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

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Scan 87

A dictionary of violin makers

36 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 77. See the scan on archive.org.

1and the details are not so carefully finished. Label: "Renisto, Cremonae alumnus Carlo Bergonzi, fecit 17—."
3Resle, Andrea. Was working in Fiesso in 1740. In an excellent violin, made of beautiful wood, with dark varnish, was the label: "Andreas Resle fecit Fiessae, 1740."
5Reynaud, André. A maker at Tarascon, 1754-66. In a violoncello, slightly arched, of a very graceful pattern with beautiful yellow varnish, was the label: "Andreas Reynaud olim canonicus fecit à Tarascon en Provence, 1754"; another label was "Andreas Reynaud, olim canonicus Tarascone in gallo provincia, 1766."
7Richards, Edwin. A maker in London.
9Richelme, A. Marius. A maker in Marseilles, who greatly modified the curves of the upper and lower bouts of his instruments, almost returning to the ancient viol-shape. He published in Marseilles, 1868: "Etudes et observations sur la lutherie ancienne et moderne."
11Ricolazzi, Lodovico. A maker in Cremona in 1729.
13Riechel. See "Reichel."
15Riechers, August, b. March 8, 1836, Hanover; d. 1893, Berlin. Was first a pupil of L. Bausch at Leipzig, then travelled from city to city gaining experience, returning to Hanover in 1862. He moved to Berlin in 1872, at the special request of the great violinist, Joseph Joachim, who recognised his talent and ability. He made excellent instruments on the Stradivari and Guarneri patterns and was especially successful in repairing old instruments. About 1,000 violins and over 200 violoncellos were made in his workshop. He published a book on the construction of violins.
17Riess. A maker in Bamberg about 1740-60. He made fairly good instruments on the Stainer pattern, with a nice quality of tone.
19Rimbouts. See "Rombouts."
21Rinaldi, Benedetto Gioffredo. Was a pupil and fellow-worker of Pressenda. He was still working in Turin in 1886, but died about five years later. He published: "Classica fabbricazione di violini in Piemonte" (Turin, 1873), which is practically a short biography of Pressenda.
23Rivolta Giacomo. A maker in Milan about 1822. His instruments show good work. A viola was dated 186.
25Rocca, Giuseppe Antonio. A maker in Turin about 1830-55. Worked at one time for Pressenda. His violins are generally made on the Stradivari pattern; the work is carefully finished, the scroll well cut, but the varnish is of poor quality. Label: "Joseph Antonio Rocca fecit Taurini, anno Domini 1841." Other violins are known dated 1839, 1851, and 1855.
27Rodiani, Giovita. See "Budiani, Giavetta."
29Röscher, C. H. W. Was working in Bremen about 1871.
31Roger, G. Was working in Montpellier in 1820.
33Rogeri, Gian Battista, b. in Bologna about 1650. He went to Cremona to work under Nicola Amati, Stradivari was a fellow pupil of his. He then settled in Brescia and worked there about 1670 to 1725. He made admirable instruments, generally following the Amati or the Stradivari pattern, the wood was chosen with the greatest care; the varnish is very beautiful, of a golden-red colour; the sound-holes resemble those of Amati; the purfling is accurate, the corners elegant; some of his violins are so excellently made and have such a fine tone, they have been sold as the work of Stradivari. Especially penetrating and robust is the tone of his violoncellos; he sometimes used poplar-wood for the backs—perhaps it was then thought that this rendered the instrument more sonorous; or possibly he received but low prices for his work, and was obliged to use the less expensive wood—but whether of poplar or maple the violoncellos are always beautifully made and are now much valued. Label: "Jo. Bap. Rogerius Bon. Nicolai Amati de Cremona alumnus Brixiae fecit, anno Domini 1671." (The word Bon. simply means Bononiensis, of or from Bologna.) He always used the same label, it is sometimes in red, sometimes in black letters; other labels seen were dated 1705 and 1725.
35Rogeri, Pietro Giacomo, son of Gian Battista Rogeri; b. about 1675 in Brescia; worked till about 1735. He made on a similar pattern to his father, but not quite so broad, and used fine varnish. His violins are not equal to those of his father, but his violoncellos are splendid instruments; a magnificent one was in the Collection of Count Cozio di Salabue. He also made many fine violas and double-basses. Label: "Petrus Jacobus Rogeri fecit Brixiae, 1714."

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