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.
