Mark Dearlove

History

Mark Dearlove (1770-1820) was born in 1770 in Ripley and died in 1820 in Leeds, Yorkshire, UK. He worked in Leeds from 1808, with his workshop continuing until 1849, as detailed in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers by John Dilworth. Contemporary documents often described him as a 'music seller,' which led to speculation that he was a dealer in the work of others rather than a maker himself. However, his association with Joseph Chippendale and the consistent style of his work provide strong evidence in his favour as a maker, according to Dilworth. He established his workshop in Leeds at various addresses from 1809. After his death in 1820, the workshop was continued by Mary Dearlove, who was either his wife or daughter, and subsequently by his son, Mark William, around 1830.

Craft

• Instruments: Mark Dearlove is best known for his cellos, which were of a useful small pattern, as noted by John Dilworth.
• Materials: His instruments often featured local growth sycamore for the backs, which lacked a deep figure, and pine fronts rather than imported spruce.
• Features: Characteristics included boxwood (or similar) purfling, small scrolls, and upright soundholes, described as rather Tyrolean.
• Varnish: He used a pleasant yellow-ochre varnish.
• Branding & Labels: Instruments were branded 'Dearlove, Leeds' or 'Dearlove, maker, Leeds.' Manuscript labels read 'Mark Dearlove, Boar Lane, Leeds.'
• Quality Assessment: William Meredith Morris noted that Dearlove made 'one or two nice copies of a Stradivari violin, but the tone was indifferent.' Willibald Leo Lütgendorff described him as a 'Wenig hervorragender Geigenmacher' (less outstanding violin maker), stating that his best works were valued at most 150 Marks.

Influence

• Apprenticeship: Mark Dearlove was probably apprenticed to his brother-in-law or uncle, Joseph Chippendale, as a cabinet maker in Ripley before he took up violin making.
• Employees: He employed Thomas Absam, John Gough, and John Fryer at different periods.

Legacy

• Family Continuation: After Mark Dearlove's death in 1820, his workshop was continued by Mary Dearlove (either his wife or daughter) and later by his son, Mark William, around 1830.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: Mark Dearlove's workshop was located at 18 Bridge in 1814, 4 Rayson's Yard, Briggate in 1817, and 4 Boar Lane from 1822-1826 in Leeds.
• Partnerships: George Hart mentions 'Dearlove and Fryer, Musical Instrument Manufacturers, Boar Lane, Leeds, 1828.'

Summary

Mark Dearlove (1770-1820) was a violin maker who worked in Leeds, UK, from 1808, though his workshop continued after his death until 1849 under family members. Initially trained as a cabinet maker, he employed notable figures like Thomas Absam and John Fryer. He is best known for his small pattern cellos, characterized by local sycamore and pine, boxwood purfling, and a yellow-ochre varnish. Despite some speculation about his role as a dealer, the consistent style of his work and his association with Joseph Chippendale confirm his status as a maker.