London School
Joseph (I) Hare
London, worked 1700–1733
Joseph (I) Hare (circa. 1700-1733) was a London-based instrument maker, son of John Hare, known for his innovative adoption of the Stradivari pattern and a flat model, departing from the then-prevalent Stainer model. He was also recognized for his use of a distinctive, transparent red varnish of excellent quality. His career included an apprenticeship in the Draper's Company and operating businesses at 'The Viol & Flute' and 'The Viol & Hautboy' in Cornhill.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 1723 | April 1991 | £1,540 |
Maker Overview
Life
Joseph (I) Hare (circa. 1700-1733) was the son of John Hare and worked in London, UK. He was apprenticed in the Draper's Company from 1714 to 1721, where he was recorded as a 'book, music and instrument maker', according to The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers by John Dilworth.
Characteristics
- Innovation
- Joseph (I) Hare made the innovation of following the pattern of Stradivari, instead of the Stainer pattern commonly used by his contemporaries in A Dictionary of Violin Makers.
- Varnish
- He utilized a rich red varnish of very good quality, which was more transparent than that generally employed by other English makers in British Violin Makers. George Hart also noted the excellent quality of his varnish in The Violin.
- Model
- & Forster, as cited by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart, he was the first Englishman to apply a flat model.
- Workmanship
- His surviving work is very similar to that of his father, John Hare, as stated in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers by John Dilworth.
- Surviving work is very similar to that of his father, John. Joseph Hare at ye Viol and Flute
near the, Royal Exchange
in Cornhill, London. 1726John Dilworth - Joseph Hare at ye Golden Viol
in St. Paul’s Churchyard, London John Hare at ye Viol and Flute near the Royal Exchange
in Cornhill, London
1704John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Family Tradition: Joseph (I) Hare's work showed strong similarities to that of his father, John Hare, indicating a continuation of family craftsmanship.
- Business Predecessors: His business premises at Birchin's Lane, Cornhill, were formerly occupied by Alexander Livingstone and later by Richard Meares II, from whom Hare acquired the business.
- Pioneering Model: Joseph (I) Hare was noted for being the first Englishman to adopt a flat model and the Stradivari pattern, at a time when the Stainer model was predominantly esteemed in England, as discussed by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
- Collaborations: He is said to have worked in partnership with Freeman for a period.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
HARE, Joseph (I) Worked circa. 1700-1733 London UK. Son of John Hare, above. Apprenticed in the Draper’s Company 1714-1721 and recorded as a ‘book, music and instrument maker’. His mother, Elizabeth, above, took over the management of the family business in 1725, but Joseph’s earliest label is dated 1726 at ‘The Viol & Flute’. In 1728 he moved to the ‘Viol & Hautboy’, Birchin’s Lane, Cornhill, an address formerly the business of Alexander Livingstone, whose label is occasionally found in viols, and subsequently of Richard Meares II, from whom Hare purchased it. Surviving work is very similar to that of his father, John. Joseph Hare at ye Viol and Flute / near the, Royal Exchange / in Cornhill, London. 1726 Joseph Hare at ye Golden Viol / in St. Paul’s Churchyard, London John Hare at ye Viol and Flute near the Royal Exchange / in Cornhill, London / 1704 [BVMA]
George Hart+
Probably a son of John Hare, above-mentioned. Varnish of excellent quality.
William Meredith Morris+
He made some splendid instruments on the lines of Stradivari, the varnish being of excellent quality. Label : —
JOSEPH HARE, AT YE VIOL AND FLUTE, NEAR THE ROYAL EXCHANGE, IN CORNHILL, LONDON, 1728
Cecie Stainer+
A maker in London about 1700-30. He made the innovation of following the pattern of Stradivari, instead of that of Stainer as his contemporaries did ; he also used a rich red varnish, of very good quality, more transparent than that generally used by English makers. Is said to have been in partnership with Freeman.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Von ihm sind bisher nur wenige Geigen bekannt. Er ist jedoch nach Sandys
& Forster der erste Engländer, der ein flaches Modell anwendete, auch sein
Lack von leuchtender rother Farbe ist vorzüglich. Er war jedenfalls ein besonders
begabter Mann, der seiner Zeit nur nicht durchdrang, da in England lange das
Stainermodell allein in Ansehen stand. Er soll eine Zeit lang mit Freeman zusammen
gearbeitet haben.
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Working in London at the same time
Alexander Kennedy worked 1730–1785
Barak Norman 1651–1724
Daniel Parker worked 1712–1720
Ditton worked 1700
Edward (II) Lewis worked 1700–1742