Books › A dictionary of violin makers, 1896 › scan 15
Scan 15
A dictionary of violin makers, 1896
34 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 7. See the scan on archive.org.
1father at Salisbury, probably 1770-80, then moved to London, to 30, Sherrard Street, Golden Square; went later to Hawk Street, Liverpool, where he died and was buried at St. Mary's, Edgehill. Two violins are known of his, one dated 1771, the other 1775, and an alto dated 1778. A violoncello had the label: "Made by Benjn. Banks, No. 30, Sherrard Street, Golden Square, from Salisbury."
3Banks, James and Henry, fourth and sixth sons of B. Banks (1727-95). Both born in Salisbury, James about 1756, d. June 15, 1831; Henry about 1770, d. Oct. 16, 1830. They were in business together, Henry as a pianoforte tuner and repairer and James as a violin maker; the latter was an excellent workman, followed the same models as his father, used similar varnish, though occasionally the red-colour varnish had more black in it. 1811, they sold their business in Catherine Street, Salisbury, and went to Liverpool, to Church Street and then to Bold Street, where they died; they were buried in St. Mary's, Edgehill. A number of unfinished instruments in the white wood were found in the cellar of their Liverpool house, and sold in that state. Labels: "James and Henry Banks, Musical Instrument Makers and Music Sellers, Salisbury, 1802"; "James and Henry Banks, Salisbury, 1804." A violoncello made by both of them in 1797 was exhibited in the South Kensington Museum, London, 1872.
5Baptista. See "Battista."
7Barbanti, Silva Francesco. A maker in Correggio, 1850.
9Barbey, Guillaume. Maker of a bass-viol with six strings at Brussels.
11Barbieri, Francesco. A maker in Verona, 1695. His violins follow the pattern of Andrea Guarneri.
13Barnes, Robert. Pupil of Thomas Smith at the "Harp and Hautboy" in Piccadilly; a fellow-apprentice was John Norris, with whom he started a business in 1765. No instruments of theirs is known except a violoncello, which was probably made by E. Aireton, but is stamped with their name on the back. They first lived in Windmill Street, then Coventry Street. Label: "Made by Norris and Barnes, violin, violoncello, and bow makers to their Majesties, Coventry Street, London."
15Barnia, Fedele, b. at Milan; settled in Venice. Probably a pupil of Pietro Guarneri. A small violoncello is known, of accurate proportions, with yellow varnish somewhat transparent, and good tone. Label: "Fedele Barnia, Milanese, fece in Venezia, l'anno 1761"; one dated 1715 was found in a very beautiful theorbo.
17Baroux. Lived in Paris, 1830, at 57, rue du Petit-Carreau. He was a very able violin bow maker.
19Barrett, John. Worked about 1714-30 at the "Harp and Crown" in Piccadilly, London. A contemporary of Barak Norman and Nathaniel Cross. He made some good instruments on a long and arched pattern, but they all have ink-lines instead of purfle, and the fluting where the ink-lines are is very acute, forming almost the inner half of a circle; the tone of his violins is sweet but not powerful, the wood well-selected, the varnish a yellow colour. 1802, they were valued at 6 guineas, later at 8 or 10. A violoncello is mentioned as of beautiful tone. Labels: "John Barrett, at the Harp and Crown in Pickadilly, 1722"; "Made by John Barrett at ye Harp and Crown in Pickadilly, London, 1731."
21Barton, George. Worked at Elliot Court, Old Bailey, London; d. about 1810.
23Basi, Florianus. A clever maker of mandolines in Bologna, 1756-81. Label: "Florianus Basi, in via S. Mamoli Bonone, fecit 1756."
25Bassiano. Lute maker in Rome, 1666; a theorbo with this date is in the collection of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, Vienna.
27Bassot, Joseph. A maker in Paris about 1780 to 1802, at the Quinze-Vingt (1783), then rue Chabanais (1788). He made beautiful violins, with brown varnish, sometimes tinged with red. His earlier instruments, with yellow varnish, are not so well made. Label: "Joseph Bassot, luthier, Paris, 1802."
29Bastogi, Gaetano. Maker of cithers and lutes in Leghorn in the 18th century.
31Battista of Brescia, about the end of the 15th century. There is a very old "pochette," with the stamp "Battista Bressano," in the museum of the Lyceo filarmonico of Bologna.
33Battista, Giovanni. A maker of guitars and mandolines in Naples, 1701, according to a label in a mandola of fine tone. Label: "Gian Battista, Fabricatore Napoli, anno 17—in S. M. dell'ajuto."
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