Scan 256
The Violin: Its Famous Makers and their Imitators, 1875
8 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 198. See the scan on archive.org.
1will be found his name, surrounded with a design in purfling, under the finger-board, or his monogram executed in purfling. The same trade token will be found on his Violoncellos. All endeavours to discover any existing Violoncello, or record of one, anterior to Barak Norman have failed, and, consequently, it may be assumed that Barak Norman was the first maker of that instrument in England. Here, again, is evidence of his partiality for the form of the Maggini, both father and son, as he copied these makers in nearly all his Violoncellos. All the Violoncellos of Barak Norman have bellies of splendid quality; the modelling is executed skilfully, due care having been observed in leaving sufficient wood. His Violas are fine instruments. Many of these were made years before he began the Violoncellos, a fact which satisfactorily accounts for the marked difference in form peculiar to these. The build is higher, and the sound-hole German in character; the varnish is very dark. About the year 1715 Barak Norman entered into partnership with Nathaniel Cross, carrying on the joint business at the sign of the "Bass Viol," St. Paul's Churchyard.
3NORRIS, John, London, born, 1739; died, 1818.
5Made by Norris and Barnes, Violin, Violoncello, and Bow Makers, To Their Majesties, Coventry Street, London.
7Articled to Thomas Smith, the successor of Peter Wamsley. Similar work to that of Thomas Smith. He became a partner of Robert Barnes.
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