John Delany

History

John Delany (circa 1795-1812) was an Irish craftsman active in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Primarily a cabinet-maker, he also worked as a part-time violin maker, with his period of activity noted by John Dilworth as circa 1795-1812. Delany is particularly recognized for his distinctive labels, which, as noted by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, expressed a strong self-confidence and a desire to perpetuate his memory through his instruments.

Craft

• Output Quality: According to John Dilworth, Delany's output was rather inconsistent and generally of a fairly low standard.
• Models: He followed the Amati model, and also produced instruments of a small Amati or Stainer type model, as described by John Dilworth and William Meredith Morris. Lütgendorff observed that he imitated the Italians quite well.
• Wood: Instruments often featured plain wood, with the back cut on the slab, as detailed by William Meredith Morris.
• Purfling: William Meredith Morris noted that his instruments were typically unpurfled.
• Soundholes: Characteristically, his violins had open soundholes, which William Meredith Morris further described as rather short and wide.
• Corners: The corners of his instruments were short, or a little blunt, as observed by John Dilworth and William Meredith Morris.
• Varnish: William Meredith Morris described the varnish as originally dark yellow, which often turned nearly black over time.
• Tone: Despite inconsistencies, William Meredith Morris reported that Delany was very successful in producing a good tone, describing one violin as having a clear and sweet tone.
• Collaborations: John Dilworth mentions that Delany undertook some work for Perry.

Legacy

• Museum Holdings: A violin made by John Delany is preserved in the National Museum, Dublin, as documented by John Dilworth.
• Distinctive Labels: Delany is well-known for his unique labels, which are a significant part of his legacy. Cecie Stainer noted he used two types, one very small and one very large. George Hart and William Meredith Morris provide examples:
  • Label Type 1: "MADE BY JOHN DELANY, NO. 17, BRITAIN STREET, DUBLIN, 1808."
  • Label Type 2: "MADE BY JOHN DELANY, IN ORDER TO PERPETUATE HIS MEMORY IN FUTURE AGES, DUBLIN, 1808. LIBERTY TO ALL THE WORLD, BLACK AND WHITE." This second label, as noted by Lütgendorff, Morris, and Hart, explicitly states his ambition for lasting recognition.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: His workshop was located at No. 17 Britain Street, Dublin, as indicated on his labels from 1808 (Dilworth, Morris, Hart).

Summary

John Delany was a Dublin-based cabinet-maker and part-time violin maker active from approximately 1795 to 1812. While his output was sometimes inconsistent in quality, he was known for producing instruments with a good, clear, and sweet tone, often following Amati or Stainer models. His violins typically featured plain, unpurfled wood, open and somewhat short soundholes, and blunt corners. Delany is particularly remembered for his distinctive and self-aggrandizing labels, which expressed his desire for his memory to be perpetuated through his craft. A violin by Delany is housed in the National Museum, Dublin, and he is noted to have worked from 17 Britain Street, Dublin, in 1808.