J SEYMOUR

SEYMOUR, J Worked circa. 1770-1790 UK. Good but unrefined work of unknown place. May have been involved with the Forster workshop. At least one violin and one small viola recorded. Amatisé model. Spirit varnish: golden-yellow to red-brown. The heads may be imported as they seem to show a regularity and finish not present in the rest of the instrument, but branded in the pegbox. Purfling has inner core of bright white wood, characteristic of English work of the period. Stradivarian and slightly sloping soundholes. Henley records a violin with inscription on bass bar: ‘this wood was taken from an old piano, 1770’. Branded internally in the soundbox and pegbox: ‘J. Seymour’