English violin by & labelled John Furber 1813

Glorious violin by & labelled "John Furber Maker, 13 John's Row, top of Brick Lane, Old Street, London 1813". (1780 - 1857)

Typically small pattern, loosely follows 1690 Strad pattern.

A little more refined than violins by his brother Matthew Furber(II).

Fairly wide, but very even grain to the spruce front.

Fluting into the edge work starts a good 15mm from the edge, leaving the purfling at the highest point.

Delightful, striking one-piece maple back, cut on the slab. No locating pins.

Quality purfling with a charming bright/light centre, probably boxwood. Jointed at corners centrally, ie both pieces of purfling cut the same length/angle and joined, not allowing a purfling sting. Small sting appears to be "painted" and turned slightly away from centre.

Single piece lower ribs with mark denoting centre joint position.

Ribs into corner joints and left thin, slightly extended and glued centrally.

No fluting evident on ff holes. Holes are quite circular rather than oval.

Centre of eye on scroll has a deliberate pin mark.

Pegbox bulges from top nut from 24mm to 25.1mm before thinning to the head.

Linings appear to be willow, with neat chamfer cut, left unrounded.

Blocks pine.

Top quality replacement neck probably by Beares to allow for modern playing with neck graft and ebony crown. Fingerboard stamped B75.

The violin is also numbered 6114 internally and on bottom rib.

Lovely deep red varnish on a golden ground. Mostly original.

Excellent condition. Historic restorations to front, all firm, not soundpost or bass bar. Small bump to edge on back; slightly squished lower rib; small mark below top eye of left hole.

Newly set-up with professionally cut bridge with rosewood and ebony fittings.

LOB: 353mm

Stop: 193mm

UB: 171mm

MB: 102mm

LB: 209mm

Rib Height: 30.5 to 31mm

Edge thickness: 3.7mm to 5.2mm at corners

Purfling distance from edge 3.5/4mm

Scroll length: 110mm, width 40.9mm

41mm between top ff holes and 111mm between lower.

Neck length: Not original (137mm)

Arching, back highest 11 mm

Arching, front highest 12 mm

Easy response, rounded tone, more to give.

Suitable for a professional player.

John Furber worked in Turnmill Street in 1810 and at 10 St John's Row from 1813. He moved to 26 Wellington Street in 1840. He was credited with most of the instruments sold and labeled by Betts during this period. He was a considerable and versatile craftsman, as well as a copyist of Stradivari and Amati. Some examples were branded with 'Furber' below the back button.

FURBER, John Born 1780, d. after 1857 Clerkenwell, London UK. Brother of Matthew Furber (II), below, working in Turnmill Street 1810 and 10 St John’s Row from 1813. In 1840 he moved to 26 Wellington Street. Credited with most of the instruments sold and labelled by Betts in this period. A considerable and versatile craftsman. Copyist of Stradivari and Amati. Some examples branded below back button: ‘Furber’ John Furber. Maker / 13 St.John’s Row, top of Brick Lane / Old Saint Luke / 1813 John Furber, maker / 10 St John’s Row, Brick Lane, / Old Street John Furber, Maker / 77 Turnmill Street / Clerkenwell / 1810 [BVMA]