Jacob Ford

John Dilworth

FORD, Jacob Worked 1770-1795 London UK. According to his labels Ford worked from various addresses including ‘corner of Davies Street and Berkeley Square’ and ‘South-Street, Grosvenor Square’. The Hill Archive relates that he was a ‘Gentlemen’s Servant’ by profession and that he later became a ‘lodging-house keeper’. Seems to have supplied work to Duke, Simpson, and Thompson, as his signature is found within instruments bearing those labels. Often given false Italian labels, having been passed off as Roman or Florentine work by unscrupulous dealers. Only one cello recorded but small violas encountered. Very fine and distinctive workmanship on a broadly Stainer-derived model. Beautifully finished scroll of personal model, with deep undercuts and narrow chamfer; concentric volutes but rather broad. Very precise purfling with bright contrasting white core, laid close to the edge. Thin but complex and rich varnish of golden-amber colour. Often signed on the interior of the front in pencil. Printed labels: Jacob Ford / Maker / London 1792 Jacob Ford, Maker / South Street Gr. Sqre. London / 1771 [BVMA]

William Meredith Morris

He worked on a model which very closely resembles that of Stainer. He evidently had Stainer in his mind, but he had also seen and handled so many Amati copies, or perhaps a few original ” Amatis,” that he had become unsettled in his ideals. The workmanship is excellent, and the wood very carefully chosen. The varnish is an oil one, in light or deep amber colour. His margins are wider than is usual in Stainer copies, and the edges are nicely rounded and solid looking. The tone is not a large one, but is almost equal, in one or two instances which have come under my observation, to that of Duke. Altogether Ford was a superior maker, and the few examples of his art which remain to-day should be more highly valued than they are. Label : —

JACOB FORD, MAKER, LONDON, 1792