John Baker
Oxford, worked 1680–1720
John Baker was a highly esteemed English viol maker active in Oxford, UK, from approximately 1680 to 1720. Known for his excellently finished viols and gambas, which featured a light yellow varnish and produced a pure, clear tone, his instruments were highly regarded, even preferred over Italian makers by some 17th-century musicians. His work is represented in notable collections, including that of Thomas Britton and the Horniman Museum, and his 1688 viola da gamba was exhibited in 1872.
Maker Overview
Life
John Baker (circa 1680-1720) worked in Oxford, UK., he is presumed to be the son of William Baker. A fine viol by Mr. Baker of Oxford was part of Thomas Britton's collection of musical instruments. A four-stringed viola da gamba, made by John Baker in Oxford, anno 1688, was exhibited in 1872.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- 's work was in every way good, excellently finished.
- Varnish
- Cecie Stainer describes his varnish as a light yellow colour. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also notes his lacquer as being of a light yellow colour.
- Tone
- Cecie Stainer states that the tone of his instruments was not large but very pure and clear in quality.
- Instruments
- William Meredith Morris notes that he made viols chiefly, but towards the end of his life, he is supposed to have turned his attention to violins, though none have been seen. Only excellent viols and gambas are known from him.
Influence and legacy
- Exhibitions: A four-stringed viola da gamba, made by John Baker in Oxford, anno 1688, was among the exhibits at the South Kensington Special Exhibition in 1872.
- Collections: A fine viol of his make was in Tom Britton's collection. A viol labelled by him and dated 1688 was formerly in the Victoria & Albert Museum collection and is now housed in the Horniman Museum, London.
- Reputation: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that 17th-century English viol makers, including John Baker, were held in the highest esteem by all musicians and were often preferred over Italian makers at the time.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
BAKER, John Worked circa. 1680-1720 Oxford UK. Presumed son of William Baker, below. Known for a viol labelled by him and dated 1688, in the former Victoria & Albert museum collection (now in the Horniman Museum, London). Made by John Baker in Oxford Anno 1692
William Meredith Morris+
He made viols chiefly, but towards the end of his life is supposed to have turned his attention to violins. No one, however, has seen any of these. Tom Britten had a fine viol of his make in his collection. A four-stringed viola da gamba was among the exhibits at the South Kensington Special Exhibition, 1872, bearing the following label : —
MADE BY JOHN BAKER, IN OXFORD, ANNO 1688
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Die Violenbauer des 17. Jahrhunderts in England standen im höchsten Ansehen
bei allen Musikern und wurden damals von vielen den Italienern vorgezogen.
Zu den englischen Meistern, die diese hohe Wertschätzung durch
ihre Arbeit rechtfertigen, gehört auch John Baker, von dem nur vortreffliche
Violen und Gamben bekannt sind. Sein Lack ist von hellgelber Farbe. Eine
schöne Viola da Gamba von ihm war 1872 im South
Kens. Mus. ausgestellt.
Cecie Stainer+
A maker in Oxford about 1688 to 1720. His work was in every way good, excellently finished, the varnish a light yellow colour, the tone not large but very pure and clear in quality. In Thomas Britton’s collection of musical instruments was ” a fine viol by Mr. Baker of Oxford.” A four-stringed viola da gamba ” made by John Baker in Oxford, anno 1688,” exhibited 1872.
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