John Grice
Violin maker
–
Originally from London according to his labels, he worked in Norwich in 1728 at 'Cock Yard, Ramping Horse Street. ' By 1733, he was in Edinburgh, becoming the first notable violin maker established there. In 1743, he was in Antwerp; a violin of his is housed in the Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels. He returned to Edinburgh, and a violin labelled from there and dated 1753 is recorded in Rattray. A large-form viola dated 1728 (BVMA catalogue) exhibits a vaguely Brescian style but also strongly resembles Flemish work from this period, featuring long slanting soundholes and small finial circles. The head appears somewhat clumsy, the materials are fairly plain, with painted purfling and thin amber-coloured varnish. In contrast, the 1753 violin has very Staineresque soundholes that are close-set and upright, yet it retains similar small finial circles. The head is more delicately cut, the instrument is properly purfled, and the varnish is a richer golden colour.
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