Books › A dictionary of violin makers, 1896 › scan 75
Scan 75
A dictionary of violin makers, 1896
22 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 67. See the scan on archive.org.
1the death of his brother, became partner in the firm of Neuner und Hornsteiner, Mittenwald. He has 200 workmen there, and from 15,000 to 20,000 instruments are yearly sent out to all parts of the world; these all show excellent work, considering their extraordinarily low price. He himself makes instruments for solo-playing, closely copied from Italian models. A quartet of solo instruments exhibited in Berlin, 1879, gained the silver medal. He was awarded the large medal for Industries, founded by Friedrich Wilhelm IV. His instruments were also commended at the Bologna Exhibition, 1888.
3Newton, Isaac. Worked in London about 1775-1825. He made fairly good instruments, but used a dingy yellow varnish. Sometimes made violins and violoncellos for Betts, but these were always varnished by the latter.
5Nezot. A maker in Paris about 1730-60. He principally made viols, but also a few violins. A beautiful viol of his, undated, is in the Paris Conservatoire Collection.
7Nicolas, Didier, l’aîné (known as "deaf Nicolas"), b. 1757, Mirecourt; d. there, 1833. His business was carried on at the sign of "A la ville de Crémone." He was a clever workman, and made large quantities of instruments, fairly good, although deficient in some respects. They are generally on a large pattern, slightly arched, the varnish either red-brown tinged with yellow or bright red colour; the sound-holes rather peculiar in cut, very widely opened in the middle; the tone is large, and the instruments are suitable for use in orchestras, those with red varnish being generally superior in work. They are branded, just where the label is usually placed, with the inscription: "A la ville de Crémone, D. Nicolas, aîné." He first exhibited in 1802, being the first maker of Mirecourt to do so; he received no award then, but in 1806 was awarded a silver medal at the Paris Exhibition. At the time of his death about 600 workmen were employed in his workshops.
9Nicolas, François Nicolas Fourrier (was known simply as "Nicolas"), b. Oct. 5, 1758, Mirecourt; d. 1816, Paris. Began to work under Saunier in Paris in 1770, was appointed maker to the Royal School of Music in 1784, and maker to the Emperor in 1804, and made all the string instruments used in the private orchestra of Napoleon I. He is especially to be commended for the careful choice of wood and the good proportions of his instruments; the latter he had closely copied from beautiful specimens of Cremona work. His instruments, though much used at one time, dropped out of fashion, but good violins of his are still to be had. A MS. label found in a violin: "Réparé par Fourrier Nicolas, luthier de la chapelle de S.M. l’Empereur, pour son ami Julien, chef d’orchestre des bals de la Cour, 1806."
11Nicolas, Joseph, son of Didier Nicolas; b. 1796, Mirecourt; d. 1864. Pupil and successor of his father. His instruments are branded "J. Nicolas fils." He was awarded a bronze medal in 1834; in 1855 he constructed a violin which could be played on both back and front, being provided with two finger-boards, two bridges, &c.—the utility of this instrument is not obvious. After his death his widow sold all the stock-in-trade to the maker Derazey, of Mirecourt; the two stamps with which Joseph and his father had branded their instruments were included; these were apparently made use of along with the other material by Derazey, consequently new instruments have since appeared not made by a Nicolas, although stamped with the name.
13Nicolas, Mathieu. Is mentioned as a maker in Mirecourt. His instruments were of ordinary workmanship, sometimes with yellow, sometimes with red varnish.
15Nicolas. In a five-stringed viol was the inscription "à Verdun par Nicolas des Rousseaux, 1755."
17Niggell, Simpertus. A maker of viols and violins in Fussen near Hohen schwangau about 1743-66. His instruments are well-made, on a flat pattern, with brown varnish, and are branded on the interior with the letters "S. N." In a viola d’amore, with a carved head and red-brown varnish, was the label: "Simpertus Niggell Lauten und Geigen Macher in Fussen, 1744"; a similar label was dated 1765.
19Norborn, John. Was working in London about 1723.
21Norman, Barak, b. 1688; d. 1740. A maker in London, lived first in Bishopsgate and then in St. Paul’s Churchyard. He was probably a pupil of Thomas Urquhart, his earlier work having much the same appearance as that of
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