Thomas Cahusac

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£5,263

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin	35.6 cm London, 1795 c.	November 2011	£5,263
Violin	35.5 cm cirac 1780 (restorations) [Attributed to]	June 2011	£720
Violin	35.5 cm London, 1782	June 2011	£2,880
Violin	35.3 cm London, 1790 c. [Probably by]	March 2008	£2,375
Violin	London, 1798	May 2005	£1,185
Violin	1790	February 2001	£920
Violin	17--	May 1997	£220
Violin	1789	June 1996	£1,610
Violin	1798	October 1990	£506
Violin	1800 c.	November 1988	£770
Violin	1796	September 1987	£462
Violin	1798	June 1987	£385
Violin	1795	May 1986	£220
Violin	1798	September 1984	£308
Cello	17--	June 1984	£906
Violin	17--	November 1982	£496

Biographies

John Dilworth William Meredith Morris Cecie Stainer Willibald Leo Lütgendorff

John Dilworth

CAHUSAC, Thomas Worked from 1755, died 1798 London UK. Music publisher and musical instrument maker at the sign of the ‘Two Flutes and Violin’ in the Strand, near St. Clement’s Church. Of Hugenot extraction. In business from 1755-1798. Advertised flutes, violins, viols, and various keyboard and other instruments, alongside sheet music. His obituary notice described him as ‘the oldest musical instrument maker in and near London’. Worked in association with Benjamin Banks 1780-1792, supplying flutes to Banks’ Salisbury shop, and selling Banks’ violins in London. Sons Thomas and William Maurice also established an independent business nearby at 196 Strand. Thomas jr. married Banks’ daughter Anne, and worked briefly in Minster Street, Reading, Berkshire before returning to the 196 Strand address in 1789 and is found at 41 Haymarket in 1801. The business continued as ‘Cahusac & Sons’ until 1816. Violins are generally of no more than trade quality, some quite eccentric, one example having the upper bouts broader than the lower. Generally they are made without purfling from cheaper materials and thin spirit varnish and often high, exaggerated Stainer archings. There are superior instruments however, and good craftsmen were employed by the firm at various times. Typical of London fashion, they are generally of Amati or Stainer form with dark varnish. Saxon copies labelled Cahusac are dated up to 1820, with Paris given as the origin. Cahusac / No.76 near St. Clement’s Church Strand. London. / 1795 Thos Cahusac / Flute Maker / at the Two Flutes and Violin / Opposite to St Clements Church in ye Strand / London No. 196 Opposite St. Clement’s Church Strand 17 London 96