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Scan 28
A dictionary of violin makers, 1896
21 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 20. See the scan on archive.org.
1with soft light yellow varnish; the tone is clear and penetrating. He marked his instruments inside on the back with his initials N. C. and a + above. Label: "Barak Norman and Nathaniel Cross, at the Bass-viol in St. Paul's church yard, London, fecit 172—."
2Crowther, John. A maker in London (Haughton Street, Clare Market) about 1755-1810. He worked occasionally for John Kennedy. He died in 1810.
3Cuchet, Gaspard. Worked in Grenoble, 1729. Label: "Fait par Gaspard Cuchet à Grenoble, mil sept cent 29."
4Cunault, Georges, b. 1856, Paris; was apprenticed there, and worked with Miremont, 1874-82; obtaining, at the Paris Exhibition, 1878, a "mention honorable" as collaborateur. 1882, started his own workshop, first at 53, Faubourg Poissonnière, then at 6, rue Clauzel. He is a clever maker, and his instruments show experience and careful work.
5Cuny. A maker in Paris about 1740. A violin from which the label had disappeared was branded on the back "Cuny à Paris," it was of inferior work, with thick brown varnish.
6Cuppin, Giovanni. A name found in an instrument, which must have been of an early period. It was a baryton with no edges or purfling, the sound-holes elegantly cut, the back of poplar wood, the varnish a yellow colour.
7Cuthbert. Maker of viols and violins in London in the 17th century. Some instruments are well made, not much arched, with dark varnish, the wood of good quality.
8Cuypers, Johannes. Worked at The Hague about 1779. Used yellow varnish. Label: "Johannes Cuypers, fecit s'haghe, 1779."
9Cyprianio. See "Antonio."
11D.
13Daniel. A maker in Antwerp about 1636-56. Two instruments of his are known, a double-bass which he made in 1636 to be used in Antwerp Cathedral for the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, and a little violin, fairly well made, dated 1656.
14Daniel, Charles. Founded a business in Marseilles in 1762, was succeeded by his son Edmond, who was succeeded by his pupil Guérin.
15Darche, C. F. Worked in Brussels. Was a pupil of N. F. Vuillaume (a brother of the Parisian maker, who had settled in Brussels). He exhibited a very satisfactory quartet of new instruments at Munich in 1854, but was especially successful in a work of restoration that had taken him two years to accomplish. This was an Amati violoncello dated 1547, which had belonged to Charles IX. of France, and was handed over to Darche literally in fragments. In 1867 Darche's instruments were judged to be satisfactory in point of workmanship, but deficient in tone, and the varnish of poor quality. In 1854 he constructed a violin which was curved on each side of the button in such a way as to render it far less likely to slip from under the chin of the player.
16Darche, Nicholas. A maker in Aix-la-Chapelle, who has made a great many instruments. P. J. Hel was a pupil of his, 1864-65.
17Dardelli, Pietro ("Il padre Dardelli"). Was a monk in the Franciscan monastery of Mantua, who lived towards the end of the 15th century. He was one of the best makers of his time of rebeccs, lutes, and viols of all kinds, which he ornamented with especially beautiful inlaid work. A very fine lute, made for the Duchess of Mantua, the neck admirably worked in ivory and ebony, and painted with the ducal coat of arms, was dated "Pietro Dardelli, 1497."
18David. A contemporary of Pierray. Was working in Paris about 1730, and supplied the orchestra of Louis XVI. with instruments; his workmanship, however, was poor.
19Davidson, Hay. A maker in Huntley in 1870.
20Davis, Richard. A maker in London. Began by working in the employ of Norris and Barnes; but when Norris died in 1818, he succeeded to the business. He knew little of violin making, and always remained more of a dealer in than a maker of instruments. He retired, leaving the business to William Davis, and died in Bussage, near Stroud, his native place, in April, 1836, and was buried in Bisley Parish Church.
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