John Dilworth
FENDT, Jacob Born 1815, died 1849 London UK. Third son of Bernhard S. Fendt (I). Pupil of his brother Bernhard (II). Later worked for J. A. Turner in Cornhill and for R. Davis in Coventry Street. According to George Hart, he was the best maker of the three sons of Bernhard (I), but rare examples bearing his own brand or label are rather crude. His life of poverty and illness, in common with the rest of the family, must have had considerable effect on his abilities. Occasionally branded beneath the fingerboard: ‘J. Fendt’ Jacob Fent London [BVMA]
George Hart
Third son of Bernard Fendt. The best maker among the sons of Bernard. His instruments are beautifully finished, and free from the stereotyped character belonging to those of his brother Bernard. As specimens of the imitator’s art they are unequalled. One cannot but regret that such a consummate workman should have been obliged to waste his energies in making new work resemble that of a hundred years before. The patronage that he obtained was not of much value, but had he brought his work into the market in its natural condition he would not have lived by his trade. He was, therefore, compelled to foster that which he no doubt felt to be degrading. The copies of Stradivari by Jacob Fendt are among his best efforts. The work is well done; the discoloration of the wood cleverly managed, the effects of wear counterfeited with greater skill than has ever been done before or since, and finally, an amount of style is thrown into the work which transcends the ingenuity of any other copyist. Had he been allowed to copy the form of the old masters, as Lupot did, without imitating the actual wear of the instrument, we should have had a valuable addition to our present stock of instruments of the Panormo class.
Cecie Stainer
Third son of Bernhard Fendt; b. about 1815, in London; d. about Oct., 1849, in Blue Anchor Court, Whitecross Street, Finsbury. Pupil of his eldest brother, Bernhard Simon. Was employed occasionally by W. Davis, of Coventry Street, and also by Turner, a dealer in violins. He was almost the best maker among the sons of Bernhard, his copies of Italian, especially of Stradivari instruments, are very fine, the work being beautifully finished; unluckily he considered it necessary to give them the appearance of age and usage.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff
Dritter Sohn von Bernhard F. und Schüler seines ältesten Bruders Bernh. F.
Ein sehr talentvoller Geigenmacher, der Stradivari und Lupot mit Erfolg zum
Vorbild nahm, leider aber schon frühzeitig starb. Er arbeitete viel für Händler
und hatte auch die Leidenschaft, seinen Arbeiten künstlich das Aussehen höheren
Alters zu geben.
