Table of Contents

Jacob Ford

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£8,642

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin	35.7 cm London, 1780 c.	April 2010	£8,642
Violin	34.4.cm 1790 c.	June 2009	£2,760
Violin	London,1790 c. [Attributed to]	January 2005	£956
Violin	1770	June 2001	£3,780
Violin	1780 c.	March 1997	£4,370
Violin	1773	November 1996	£1,955
Violin	1770 c.	June 1990	£2,860
Violin	1772	May 1980	£1,375

Maker Overview

History

Jacob Ford (1770-1795) worked in London, UK, from 1770 to 1795. 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 later became a 'lodging-house keeper'. He seems to have supplied work to Duke, Simpson, and Thompson, as his signature is found within instruments bearing those labels. His instruments were often given false Italian labels, having been passed off as Roman or Florentine work by unscrupulous dealers.

Craft

Model: Ford worked on a model that, according to William Meredith Morris in British Violin Makers, very closely resembled that of Stainer. Morris notes that while Stainer was clearly in his mind, he had also encountered many Amati copies, or even original "Amatis," which influenced his ideals.
Workmanship: His workmanship is described as excellent, with very carefully chosen wood.
Scroll: John Dilworth highlights his beautifully finished scroll of a personal model, characterized by deep undercuts and a narrow chamfer; the volutes were concentric but rather broad.
Purfling: Dilworth notes his very precise purfling with a bright contrasting white core, laid close to the edge.
Margins and Edges: Morris observed that Ford's margins were wider than usual for Stainer copies, and the edges were nicely rounded and solid-looking.
Varnish: The varnish is described by Dilworth as a thin but complex and rich oil varnish of golden-amber colour. Morris also describes it as an oil varnish, in light or deep amber colour.
Instruments: Only one cello by Ford has been recorded, but small violas are encountered.
Signature: He often signed on the interior of the front in pencil.

Influence

Primary Influence: Jacob Ford's primary model was heavily influenced by Stainer, as noted by William Meredith Morris.
Secondary Influence: Morris also suggests that Ford had seen and handled many Amati copies, or even original "Amatis," which contributed to his evolving ideals.

Further Information

Labels: Printed labels include "Jacob Ford / Maker / London 1792" and "Jacob Ford, Maker / South Street Gr. Sqre. London / 1771".
Tone: William Meredith Morris noted that the tone of Ford's instruments is not large but, in some instances, is almost equal to that of Duke.

Summary

Jacob Ford was a distinguished London-based luthier who worked from approximately 1770 to 1795. Initially a Gentlemen's Servant and later a lodging-house keeper, he supplied instruments to notable makers like Duke, Simpson, and Thompson. His work, often passed off with false Italian labels, is characterized by excellent craftsmanship, a distinctive Stainer-derived model, and a rich golden-amber oil varnish. Ford's instruments feature a unique scroll design, precise purfling, and wider margins than typical Stainer copies. Though not known for a large tone, his instruments are highly valued for their quality.

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Biographies

John Dilworth William Meredith Morris

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]