Joseph Panormo

History

Joseph Panormo (1767-1837) was born in Naples, Italy, and died in London, UK. Sources contain conflicting information about his birth order; he is described as the "eldest son" of Vincenzo Panormo by Cecie Stainer and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, while John Dilworth identifies him as the "second son." He was a pupil and assistant to his father, Vincenzo Panormo. Joseph Panormo was active in London from 1801, initially in Wardour Street, Soho. He subsequently worked from various addresses, including 3 Portland Street from 1802-1804, 39 King Street in 1823, 19 Princes Street in 1828, and finally 4 New Compton Street from 1830. Joseph Panormo befriended the guitar virtuoso Fernando Sor and, with Sor's advice, began making guitars. From 1823, he received assistance in guitar making from his son, Edward Ferdinand, and Antonio Bruno. Despite his skill, civic records indicate that he died in great poverty.

Craft

• Workmanship: Joseph Panormo was considered a very good workman, with George Hart describing his work as "excellent" and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff noting him as a "Meister in seinem Fache."
• Instruments: His violoncellos were particularly esteemed, described as "especially excellent" by Cecie Stainer and "decidedly superior to his Violins" by George Hart. John Dilworth states that his violins, cellos, and double basses were generally very distinguished. He also made guitars with the advice of Fernando Sor.
• Style: According to John Dilworth, his instruments tend to be a little more flamboyant in style and are frequently difficult to discern from the work of his father.
• Varnish: John Dilworth notes that his varnish was generally a deep red-brown of good depth and texture, occasionally appearing as a thinner golden-yellow.
• Commissions: He was commissioned to make two basses for the great virtuoso Dragonetti.
• Signature: His work was often signed internally.

Influence

• Mentorship: Joseph Panormo was a pupil and assistant of his father, Vincenzo Panormo.

Legacy

• Financial Status: Despite his excellent workmanship, Joseph Panormo died in great poverty. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff suggests this was because he "found little appeal, as he was considered English and English violins were not sought after in London at his time."
• Distribution: Much of his work was sold through dealers and may carry the labels of R. & W. Davis or Astor & Co.

Further Information

• Addresses: Joseph Panormo worked from various London addresses, including Wardour Street, 3 Portland Street, 39 King Street, 19 Princes Street, and 4 New Compton Street.
• Assistants: He was assisted in guitar making by his son, Edward Ferdinand, and Antonio Bruno.

Summary

Joseph Panormo (1767-1837), son and pupil of Vincenzo Panormo, was a highly skilled luthier active in London. Born in Naples, he established himself in various Soho addresses, producing distinguished violins, cellos, and double basses, with his violoncellos being particularly acclaimed. He also collaborated with Fernando Sor to make guitars. Despite his craftsmanship, he died in poverty, possibly due to the prevailing lack of demand for English-made instruments in London at the time, and much of his work was sold through dealers.