Mark William Dearlove

History

Mark William Dearlove (1803-1880) was born in 1803 and died in 1880 in Leeds, UK. He was the son and pupil of Mark Dearlove, taking over his father's workshop in Boar Lane in 1828. By 1838, he had entered a brief partnership with John Charles Fryer, with the address of ‘Dearlove and Fryer’ given as Benson's Yard, 23 Boar Lane. By 1845, Dearlove was the sole name at 27 Black Swan Yard, and in 1861 he was recorded at 156 North Street. Mark William Dearlove exhibited at the Great Exhibitions in London in 1851 and 1862. For the 1851 event, he made a miniature quartet. The contents of his shop were on display at the Abbey House museum in Leeds until 1998, and are now housed in the museum store along with some instruments.

Craft

• General Characteristics: Instruments are of a more classical mien than his father's, but generally feature a lacklustre yellow varnish.
• Valued Instruments: Cellos made by Mark William Dearlove are especially valued.
• Exhibition Pieces: For the 1851 Great Exhibition, he made a miniature quartet, which included a 14" (35.5cm) long double bass.
• Dearlove and Fryer Instruments: Instruments bearing the joint label of Dearlove and Fryer are described as fairly well made, constructed on various models, but mostly on the Strad, and possess a round, stinging tone. One such instrument was noted for its clear and penetrating tone, exhibiting characteristics of the Stainer tone.

Influence

• Training: Mark William Dearlove was the son and pupil of Mark Dearlove.
• Employees: He employed several individuals in his workshop, including Absam (who may also have worked for Dearlove senior), Gough, and John Charles Fryer, whom he eventually took into partnership.

Legacy

• Family: Mark William Dearlove had 12 children, all of whom became noted musicians in the Yorkshire region, primarily as flautists.
• Preservation: The contents of his shop, along with some instruments including the 14" double bass from the 1851 miniature quartet, were displayed at the Abbey House museum in Leeds until 1998 and are now preserved in the museum store.

Further Information

• Addresses: Other addresses for Dearlove alone include 11 George & Dragon Yard (1830), 18 Wheatsheaf Yard, Briggate (1839), 63 George Street (1842-1845), and 4 Nelson Street (1853-1858). The partnership ‘Dearlove and Fryer’ was located at Benson's Yard, 23 Boar Lane.
• Labels: Labels include ‘Dearlove, maker, Leeds’, ‘Mark William Dearlove / Violin Maker. Leeds. / Exhibitor at the Great London Exhibitions 1851 and 1862’, and ‘Dearlove and Fryer / Musical Instrument Manufacturers / Boar Lane. Leeds 1828’. Another label for the partnership is cited as ‘DEARLOVE AND FRYER, MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MANUFACTURERS, BOAR LANE, LEEDS, 1836’.

Summary

Mark William Dearlove (1803-1880) was a prominent English violin maker from Leeds, son and pupil of Mark Dearlove. He took over his father's workshop in 1828 and later formed a brief partnership with John Charles Fryer. Dearlove exhibited at the Great Exhibitions of 1851 and 1862, notably creating a miniature quartet for the former. His instruments are characterized by a classical style and yellow varnish, with his cellos being particularly valued. He employed several notable luthiers and his 12 children became musicians. His workshop contents and some instruments are preserved in the Abbey House museum store in Leeds.