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

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Scan 20

A dictionary of violin makers, 1896

44 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 12. See the scan on archive.org.

1Bourdet, Jacques. A maker in Paris 1751-52. His instruments are fairly well made.
3Bourdet (Bourdot), Jean Sébastien, b. 1530, Mirecourt. Was settled in Paris in 1555. Was one of the first of the celebrated Lorraine school of makers, possibly a pupil of Tywersus.
5Bourgard, Jean. Worked in Nancy about 1780-87. In a violin, well made, with red varnish, was the label: "Ft par moi, Bourgard, facteur d'instruments, rue de la Posonnerie à Nancy, 1786."
7Bourlier, Laurent, b. 1737, Mirecourt; d. 1780. Nothing known of this maker.
9Boussu. Worked in Eterbeck-les-Bruxelles about 1750-80. Followed the Amati pattern, used yellow varnish; on the whole, made good instruments.
11Braglia, Antonio. In Modena in the 18th century.
13Brandiglioni. In Brescia in the 17th century. He copied the Maggini model.
15Brandl, Karl. A maker in Budapest, he sent two good violins, made after the models of Stradivari and Guarneri, to the London Exhibition in 1862.
17Branzo, Barbaro Francesco. A maker in Padua, 1660.
19Bremeister, Jan. In Amsterdam, 1707.
21Brensi, Girolamo. A maker of viols in Bologna, probably at the beginning of the 16th century. A "viola da braccio" in the collection of the Lyceo filarmonico at Bologna has five strings and is labelled: "Hieronymus Brensius Bonon."
23Bresa, Francesco. A maker of inferior instruments in Milan in the 18th century. A label is known, but it has the name of the town partly effaced: "Francesco Bresa, fece alla scala in Mil . . . 1708."
25Breton, J. F. Worked in Paris, 1740-80. His instruments are rather heavy in character, but are fairly well made, varnish a dark brown colour, "Breton à Paris" is branded on their backs. Label: "J. F. (V.?) Breton, citharae fabricator, facit, vendit et reconcinat instrumenta musica omnes genis.—Parisiis, anno 1740." The same label, dated 1780, was found in a violin.
27Breton, Le, b. 1780, at Mirecourt, where he worked from 1812 to 1830, the year of his death; was there a contemporary of the eldest Nicolas. His violins are carefully made, of a good pattern, slightly arched, the purfling neat, the varnish yellow, slightly tinged with red, his monogram branded on the neck. They are not rare, but though of no great value, are often imitated. Label: "Luthier de S. A. R. Mme. la Duchesse d'Angoulême."
29Broschi, Carlo. Worked in Parma, 1730-44. Label: "Carlo Broschi in Parma, fecit 1732."
31Brown, Anthony. Is said to have learnt his trade under Joseph Panormo, or under John Morrison. He became celebrated for his guitars. In 1855 he was living in Rosamond Street, Clerkenwell, but afterwards went to the "diggings." He was not related to the other violin makers of the same name.
33Brown, James, b. 1755 or 1759; d. Sept., 1830 or 1834. Was a silk weaver in Shoreditch, London; but, 1804, learnt violin making under Thomas Kennedy, and established himself in Wheeler Street, Spitalfields, as repairer and maker of instruments.
35Brown, James, jun., son of James Brown, b. Nov., 1786; d., 1860, at White Lion Street, Norton Folgate. Apprenticed to his father, but was principally employed to make bows for the various instruments. After his father's death, he made violins, violoncellos, and double-basses. Both father and son were good average workmen.
37Brown, son and pupil of James Brown, jun. When about twenty years old, ceased to make instruments.
39Browne, John, a maker at the sign of the "Black Lion," Cornhill, London, in 1743. Made good copies of Nicola Amati, cut his scrolls well, but his varnish was hard.
41Brubach, Antoine, b. Jan. 22, 1847, Mirecourt. In 1884 appointed head of the business that "A. Klein et Cie." had just started in Rouen. Has made a number of violins, altos, and violoncellos carefully and well. Obtained, as "collaborateur," the silver medal at the Rouen Exhibition, 1884.
43Brugère, Charles Georges, b. Nov. 10, 1865, at Mirecourt; son of Charles Joseph Brugère, a maker of guitars. Apprenticed, 1878, at Mirecourt, to Etienne Drouin. 1882, went to Lyons to work for two and a half years under Paul Blanchard; then after nine months with Paul Bailly at Paris, entered the workshop of Gand & Bernardel, where he remained from Dec., 1885, till 1892. He succeeded Eugène Henry, Sept. 22, 1892, at 151, rue St. Martin, Paris. As he and three workmen are almost exclusively employed in repairing old instruments, he only makes about twelve new instruments a year; these, whether violins, violas, or violoncellos, are con-

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