Thomas Cahusac

Two generations of the Cahusac family worked in London from 1755 to 1816. Thomas Cahusac (I) was a prolific music publisher working from the sign of 'Two Flutes & Violin' from 1755 near St Clement's Church, and after 1784 they moved west to 196 Strand, close to the present day Savoy hotel, and Haymarket from 1801. Thomas (II) married the daughter of Benjamin ...Read More Banks setting up business in the town of Reading, whilst his younger son, William Cahusac carried on the business as Cahusac & Co. up until 1819.

It is unlikely that the Cahusac family ever made instruments themselves, but employed outworkers. Flutes, recorders and flageolets are common with their name stamped on them, and show a range of quality from very cheap work, to instruments made entirely from ivory, attesting - like their music publishing - to the quality of clientele that they attracted. Although violins appear to show a range of hands, they follow a characteristic model with upright and highly worked soundholes where the wings almost touch the bottom and the top. Some examples have a very pinched Amatise arching highlighting an understanding of Banks and William Forster's work from the same period, although others range to the lowest quality for London trade work. Read Less

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