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

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Scan 45

A dictionary of violin makers, 1896

34 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 37. See the scan on archive.org.

1Hansen Gerle, Lautenmacher zu Nürnberg von 1546 jar" ("Music and Tablature for instruments of little and large viols, also for lutes, &c., revised and corrected by Hans Gerle, lute maker at Nuremberg, in 1546.") Both the 1st and 2nd editions are in the Imperial Library at Berlin. These two interesting editions are most rare and valuable.
3Germain, Emile, son of Joseph Louis Germain, to whose business he succeeded in 1870; b. July 24, 1853, Paris. In 1865 he was sent to Mirecourt to be apprenticed to the trade, returned to Paris in 1867, and, until his father's death (1870), worked with him. Went into partnership with Dehommais, living first at 12, rue Croix-des-petits-Champs, and then at 5, Faubourg Montmartre. Dehommais retired in 1882, and Emil continued the business alone; in ten years' time he made more than 500 instruments, nearly all personal work, showing talent and care; he used a good varnish. Was very experienced in repairing old Italian instruments. Labels: "Dehommais et Germain à Paris, 12 rue Croix-des-petits-Champs, 1878," and "Emil Germain, à Paris, 5 Faubourg Montmartre, 1888."
5Germain, Joseph Louis, b. July 23, 1822, Mirecourt; d. there, July 5, 1870. Apprenticed at Mirecourt, went to Paris, 1840, and worked under Charles François Gand, till the death of the latter (1845). Was then employed by J. B. Vuillaume, for whom he made several excellent instruments, till 1850, when he became first workman under "Gand Fils." In 1862 he started his own business at 364, rue Saint-Denis. He retired to Mirecourt in 1870, and died the same year. He was a maker of great talent, and his instruments show superior workmanship. He was especially skilful in repairing old instruments. Label: "Joseph Louis Germain; à Paris, année 1868." His son Emile was also a violin maker.
7Geroni, Domenico. A maker in Ostia, Italy, about 1800-20. Made inferior instruments.
9Gherardi, Giacomo. Was working in Bologna in 1677.
11Ghidini, Carlo. A maker in Parma about 1746.
13Gianoli, Domenico. Worked at Milan in 1731.
15Gibbs, James. Worked in London about 1800-45; probably died in 1845. He was employed by J. Morrison, George Corsby, and Samuel Gilkes.
17Gibertini, Antonio. A maker in Parma, 1830-33. Made a number of violins on the Stradivari pattern, using rather dark red varnish; his work was carefully finished. Paganini, the great violinist, sometimes employed him to repair his violins.
19Gigli, Julio Cesare. Worked in Rome about 1730-62. Label: "Julius Cæsar Gigli Romanus fecit Romæ, anno 1761."
21Gilbert, Nicolas Louis. A maker in Metz about 1700. In the Paris Exhibition, 1878, a very pretty five-stringed viol—dated "Metz, 1701"—of his was shown.
23Gilbert, Simon, son of Nicolas Louis Gilbert. Worked at Metz about 1737-65. A five-stringed viol, dated 1744; another, dated 1749; and another, dated 1765, are known. Label: "Simon Gilbert, luthier, musicien de la Cathédrale à Metz, 1737."
25Gilkes, Samuel, b. 1787, Morton Pinkney, Northamptonshire; d. Nov., 1827, London. Apprenticed to Charles Harris, sen., in London, afterwards worked for William Forster (1764-1824). In 1810 he started his own business, labelling his instruments with his own name. He followed the Nicola Amati pattern, and was a clever maker, although his style showed traces of his training under Charles Harris. He used varnish of rich quality, and his work was beautifully finished. He made various classes of instruments for country dealers. Label: "Gilkes from Forster's, violin and violoncello maker, 34, James Street, Buckingham Gate, Westminster."
27Gilkes, William, son of Samuel Gilkes, b. about 1811, in Grey Coat Street, Tothill Fields, Westminster; d. 1875, London. Taught by his father and succeeded to his business in James Street, but afterwards moved to Dartmouth Street. He made a great many instruments, of various patterns, principally double-basses, but did not gain the same reputation as his father. He ceased to make instruments for some time before his death.
29Gioffreda, B. A maker in Turin in 1860.
31Giordano (Giordane), Alberto. A maker in Cremona about 1735-40. A little pocket violin with rose-coloured varnish is beautifully made, with the label: "Alto Giordano fecit Cremonæ" (the date illegible).
33Giorgi, Nicola. A maker in Turin in 1745, according to the following label: "Nicolaus Giorgi fecit Taurini, anno 1745."

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