Bussage School
Richard Davis
Bussage, 1775–1836
Richard Davis (1775-1836) was a London-based instrument dealer and occasional maker, born and died in Bussage, Gloucestershire. He worked at 35 and 31 Coventry Street, having started his career with Norris & Barnes. While primarily a commercial dealer in old instruments, he also made some instruments, often described as indifferently crafted with a Stainer-like tone and dark spirit varnish. He retired, leaving his business to William Davis.
Maker Overview
Life
Richard Davis (1775-1836) was born in Bussage, Gloucestershire, his native place, and later died there in April 1836, being buried in Bisley Parish Church. He worked in London, initially at 35 Coventry Street from 1820 to 1831, and subsequently at 31 Coventry Street from 1831 to 1838. He began his career in the employ of Norris & Barnes. Sources contain conflicting information regarding the exact year he succeeded to the business after Norris's death; Cecie Stainer states it was in 1818, while William Meredith Morris indicates 1816. Throughout his career, Davis was primarily a commercial dealer in instruments rather than a prolific maker, often employing others to work for him and carrying on a considerable trade in old instruments. He retired towards the end of his life, leaving the business to William Davis.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- Richard Davis's own instruments were not numerous and were often described as indifferently made, possessing a piercing, Stainer-like tone. John Dilworth characterizes his work as "sub-Bettsian work on roughly Italian lines."
- Model
- The few violins he made perhaps resembled the Stradivari model more than anything else.
- Varnish
- The varnish on his instruments was typically spirit-based and of a dark brown colour. John Dilworth also mentions "poor, thin varnish."
- Other Instruments
- He also crafted many guitars in collaboration with his nephew, William.
Influence and legacy
- Training: Richard Davis began his career working in the employ of Norris & Barnes, and George Hart.
- Succession: Richard Davis retired and left his business to William Davis, as documented by Cecie Stainer and William Meredith Morris.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
DAVIS, Richard Born 1775, died 1836 Bussage, Gloucestershire, Worked circa. 1820-1838 London UK. Active in London at 35 Coventry Street 1820-1831, and 31 Coventry Street 1831-1838. Worked for Norris & Barnes. Known for sub-Bettsian work on roughly Italian lines with poor, thin varnish. Commercial dealer.
George Hart+
Worked with Norris and Barnes.
William Meredith Morris+
He was for some time in the employ of Norris & Barnes, and in 1816, at the death of Norris, he succeeded to the business. He did not make many instruments himself, but employed others to work for him. He carried on a very considerable trade in old instruments. The few violins he made are not on any particular model — they perhaps resemble the Stradivari model more than anything else — are indifferently made, and have a piercing, Stainer-like tone. Varnish : spirit, of a dark brown colour. He retired towards the end of his life, and left the business to William Davis. He died in Bussage in 1836, and was buried in the Bisley churchyard.
Cecie Stainer+
A maker in London. Began by working in the employ of Norris and Barnes; but when Norris died, in 1818, he succeeded to the business. He knew little of violin making, and always remained more of a dealer in than a maker of instruments. He retired, leaving the business to William Davis, and died in Bussage, near Stroud, his native place, in April, 1836, and was buried in Bisley Parish Church.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Er begann seine Laufbahn als Geigenmacher bei Norris & Harness und
übernahm nach Norris’ Tod 1818 das Geschäft. Er hat nur sehr wenig gearbeitet und war zeitlebens mehr Händler als Geigenmacher. Mit seinem Neffen William
zusammen fertigte er auch viele Guitarren an.
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Family
William Davis Nephew