FENDT, WILLIAM, Son of Bernard Simon, born 1833, died 1852.
All the Fendts have the reputation of being excellent workmen.
FICHTOLD, HANS, 1612, is said to have made good instruments.
FICKER, JOHANN CHRISTIAN, Cremona 1722.
FICKER, JOHANN GOTLIEB, Cremona 1788.
FLEURY, BENOIST, Paris, about 1720.
FLORENTUS, FLORINUS, Bologna, 1690. Followed the Amati patterns, and
has a good reputation in that style.
FORSTER, WILLIAM. The first Violin maker of this now celebrated name,
born 1713, died 1801.
FORSTER, WILLIAM, born 1739, died 1808. This maker was very celebrated
for his Violas and Violoncellos. He appears to have followed the
Steiner pattern in 1762, and the Amati pattern in 1772. His common
instruments were not purfled, second class purfled but still much
inferior to the third class, "in which," says an authority, "everything
was embodied to conduce to excellence and beautiful appearance and to
the finest tone;" and again, "his instruments are second to none in
merit and the best Europe has ever known, especially his amber coloured
Violoncellos, which are renowned for mellowness, volume, and power of
tone, equalled by few, surpassed by none." We need scarcely say that
this opinion is rather strongly expressed, and may be considered
partial. Without at all detracting from the real excellence of Wm.
Forster's instruments, which is very great, we may confidently assert
that the great Cremona Makers have had no rivals. Whether in power,
purity, and sweetness of tone--or beauty of wood and workmanship--the
best instruments of Nicholas Amati, Antonius Stradiuarius, and Joseph
Guarnerius have never yet been equalled. Wm. Forster's Violoncellos
have, however, (in England at any rate,) been held in high esteem both
by players and amateurs, and have realised good prices.
FORSTER, WILLIAM, the third of the name born 1764, died 1824, known as
young Forster. His instruments are not so good as those of his father,
but still excellent productions.
FORSTER, WILLIAM, the fourth of the name, born 1788, died 1824. A good
workman, but not equal to the second William Forster.
FORSTER, SIMON ANDREW, son of the above, born 1801, author, in
conjunction with William Sandys, F.S.A., of a most elaborate and
excellent work from which these particulars are taken, entitled
"History of the Violin and other Instruments played on with the Bow,
from the remotest times to the present." He is also like the rest of
the family, a maker and bears a good reputation.
FORSTER.--Of this noted family Dubourg in his amusing and interesting
book, "The Violin," speaks in complimentary terms. He says, "The
Forsters, old and young, grandfather and grandson, have, in their
department of art, a name that lives."
FOURRIER, NICHOLAS, born at Mirecourt. Settled in Paris, died 1816;
good maker, after the Cremona school.
FRITZCHE, SAMUEL, Leipsic, 1787, pupil of Hunger, and made similar
instruments. They are of the Italian model and have amber varnish.
FRITZ, BERTHOLD, Leipsic, 1757.
FRANKLAND, ---- London, 1785.
FREY, HANS, Nuremberg, lute maker, 15th Century.
FURBER, DAVID, about 1700.
FURBER, MATTHEW, son of David, 1740.
FURBER, JOHN, grandson of David, 1759.
FURBER, MATTHEW, son of the above, died 1840.
FURBER, JOHN, son of Matthew, 1840.