George Frederick Lott

London, 1801–1869

George Frederick Lott (1800/1801-1868/1869) was a skilled English violin maker, the eldest son of John Frederick Lott, sen. He was known for his excellent workmanship and his clever imitations of Italian instruments, often working anonymously for the trade. He was employed by Davis of Coventry Street for many years before establishing his own business, which moved through several London addresses. He also experimented with forms similar to Galbusera's "Guitarreform" violins.

Worked London

Maker Overview

Life

George Frederick Lott (1800-1868) was the eldest son of John Frederick Lott, sen., born in London in 1800 and dying there in 1868's A Dictionary of Violin Makers. John Dilworth's The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers provides slightly different dates, stating he was born in 1801 and died in 1869 in London, UK. He was employed for a long time by Davis of Coventry Street, London, working there until 1844. Subsequently, he established his own business at 15 Gerrard Street. Over the following years, he moved regularly, residing at 23 Princes Street in 1845, 16 Princes Street in 1847, 65 Wardour Street in 1848, 36 Princes Street in 1853, Wardour Street again in 1855, and finally 3 Pitt Street, Tottenham Court Road, in his last year, 1869.

Characteristics

Workmanship: George Frederick Lott was an excellent workman.
Imitation: He copied Italian instruments with great cleverness and success, often for the trade.
Style: His work is mostly anonymous copies of Italian masters, rarely labelled by himself.
Innovation: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff mentions in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart that he also attempted to make violins in a similar form to Galbusera, known as "Guitarreform."
Comparison: John Dilworth describes his work as fine but lacking the inspiration of that of his younger brother, John Lott.

Influence and legacy

Family: He was the eldest son of John Frederick Lott, sen., who was also a violin maker.
Employment: He worked for many years for Davis of Coventry Street, London, until 1844.

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Biographies

The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

John Dilworth+

LOTT, George Frederick Born 1801, died 1869 London UK. Eldest son of John Frederick Lott (I), below. Worked for R. Davis in Coventry Street until 1844, subsequently establishing his own business at 15 Gerrard Street. Over the following years he moved regularly: to 23 Princes Street 1845, 16 Princes Street 1847, 65 Wardour Street 1848, 36 Princes Street 1853, Wardour Street 1855, and finally 3 Pitt Street, Tottenham Court Road in his last year, 1869. Work is mostly anonymous copies of Italian masters, made for the trade and rarely labelled by himself. Fine work but lacking the inspiration of that of his younger brother John. [BVMA]

George Hart+

Son of [John Frederick Lott]. Many years with Davis of Coventry Street. Was an excellent judge of Italian instruments, and a clever imitator. LOTT, John Frederick, London, younger brother of the above, died about 1871. Was articled to Davis, Has made many clever imitations. He was also an ardent lover of Cremonese instruments, and thoroughly understood their characteristics. His career was both chequered and curious, sufficiently so indeed, to cause our eminent novelist, Charles Reade, to make it the subject of ”Jack of All Trades: a Matter-of-Fact Romance.” Jack Lott (as he was familiarly styled) therefore shares with Jacob Stainer the honour of having supplied subject-matter for writers of fiction. It must, however, be said that whilst Dr. Schuler’s ” Jacob Stainer ” is mainly pure fiction, “Jack of all Trades” is rightly entitled “a matter-of-fact romance.” I have many times heard John Lott relate the chief incidents so graphically described by Charles Reade. He was certainly a man of singular ability, and his talents were strangely varied.

Cecie Stainer+

Eldest son of John Frederick Lott, sen. ; b. 1800, London ; d. there, 1868. He was an excellent workman and was for a long time employed by Davis of Coventry Street, London. He copied Italian instruments with great cleverness.

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Ältester Sohn von John Fred. L. tüchtiger Kenner italienischer Geigen.
Versuchte auch, Geigen in ähnlicher Form wie Galbusera zu machen (Guitarreform),
ahmte aber für gewöhnlich die Italiener mit Erfolg nach. Da er viel
für Davis arbeitete tragen nur wenige Geigen seinen Namen.

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