Bernard Simon Fendt I

Bernard Simon Fendt worked as a nephew and pupil of François Fent at his workshop in Paris from about 1783 until François' death in 1796. In 1798, he moved to London, possibly due to events stemming from the French Revolution, and immediately joined Thomas Dodd's shop alongside J. F. Lott. In 1809, Dodd relocated his shop from Covent Garden to St Martin's Lane, and Fendt became the workshop foreman ...Read More for John Betts in the Royal Exchange. After a dispute with Betts in 1825, he left to partner with Betts' nephew Charles Vernon at 37 Cornhill. Very little of his work bore his own label, with the only recorded example of his ticket being dated 1811. He was a remarkable and versatile craftsman who produced some of the finest copies of antique master instruments for Betts. His beautifully regulated copies of Amati and Stradivari typically featured a dark ground and rich red-brown textured varnish. Cellos were particularly valued, while excellent contralto violas were relatively common and highly effective. Double basses were also highly prized. Read Less

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