Bolles

History

Bolles was an early English viol maker active in the 17th century in the UK. His reputation is primarily known through John Mace's Musick's Monument, published in 1676, which states that viols by Bolles were among "the highest in esteem" and that a bass viol of his was valued at £100. Mace further noted that "these were old," implying Bolles's activity predated 1676. According to John Dilworth in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, the mention of Ross, or Rose, father and son, active around 1530-1600, suggests Bolles was of a similar period. William Meredith Morris, in British Violin Makers, also highlights Mace's statement regarding the £100 valuation of a bass viol. Cecie Stainer's A Dictionary of Violin Makers places him as one of the earliest makers of lutes and viols in London in the beginning of the 17th century. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff's Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart also identifies him as one of the most famous English viol and lute makers of his time, noting the £100 valuation in 1676. Despite his renown, no instruments by Bolles are currently known to exist. A letter from Arthur Hill in 1937 mentions a viol by "Boles of Oxford" with an attributed date of 1675, though this may refer to a different maker or be a later attribution. Sir Robert Bolles of Scampton, Lincolnshire (1619-1663), was a significant collector of viols, and his son, Robert (II), received music instruction from the renowned viol player Christopher Simpson; however, any direct connection between this family and the viol maker Bolles mentioned by Mace remains speculative.

Craft

• Instrument Type: Bolles was a celebrated maker of viols and lutes.
• Reputation: His viols were considered "the highest in esteem" during his time, as noted by John Mace in 1676.
• Valuation: A bass viol made by Bolles was known to be valued at £100, a significant sum for the period.
• Surviving Instruments: Despite his historical renown, no instruments attributed to Bolles are currently known to have survived.

Further Information

• Period of Activity: Bolles was active in the 17th century, with some sources implying his work dates to a similar period as Ross/Rose (c.1530-1600).
• Location: He was active in the UK, specifically noted as a maker in London by Cecie Stainer.
• Associated References: A letter from Arthur Hill in 1937 mentions a viol by "Boles of Oxford" dated 1675, though its direct connection to the celebrated Bolles is uncertain.

Summary

Bolles was a highly esteemed English maker of viols and lutes during the 17th century. His instruments, particularly his bass viols, were renowned for their quality, with one famously valued at £100 by John Mace in his 1676 work, Musick's Monument. Despite his significant reputation, no instruments definitively attributed to Bolles are known to exist today.