London School
John Frederick (II) Lott
London, 1804–1870
John Frederick (II) Lott (1804-1870/71), known as 'Jack', was a highly skilled English violin maker, son and pupil of John Lott (I). After an apprenticeship with R. Davis and a period working independently, he briefly left the craft before re-establishing his workshop at 60 Wardour Street in London by 1851. He was renowned for his exceptional ability to imitate master instruments, particularly those of Guarneri del Gesù, often converting lesser works and rarely labeling instruments with his own name. Lott also served as the London agent for J. B. Vuillaume and taught Edward Withers.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
1 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Labelled J. F. Lott Maker London Lot 169 | Tarisio | October 2024 | £34,527est. € 40.000-60.000 |
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Maker Overview
Life
John Frederick (II) Lott (1804-1870) was born in 1804 and died in 1870 in London, UK's The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers. Sources contain conflicting information about his death date, with Cecie Stainer's A Dictionary of Violin Makers stating he died in 1871.
Characteristics
- Imitation Skill
- John Frederick (II) Lott developed great skill in reproducing master instruments and making imitations in a persuasive style, not necessarily of particular instruments. He was notably famous as a skilled imitator in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zu Gegenwart.
- Conversion of Work
- He was adept at 'converting' the work of lesser makers into that of more desirable and valuable names.
- Guarneri Imitations
- He was one of the first makers to closely imitate Guarneri del Gesù, and several of his copies are known to have been traded as original Guarneris.
- Labeling Practices
- He very rarely labeled instruments with his own name, with most instruments bearing facsimiles of other labels.
Influence and legacy
- Parental Tutelage: He was the second son and pupil of John Lott (I).
- Apprenticeship: He was briefly apprenticed with his brother George to R. Davis in Coventry Street, London.
- Pupil: He was the teacher of Edward Withers.
- Retained Works: Edward Withers, his pupil, retained a quartet of John Frederick (II) Lott's work.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
LOTT, John Frederick (II) Born 1804, died 1870 London UK. Known as ‘Jack’. Second son and pupil of John Lott (I) above. Briefly apprenticed with his brother George to R. Davis in Coventry Street, making violins and guitars for them. For some time worked independently, supplying instruments to his father’s employer Thomas Dodd and to another London dealer, Metzler & Co. Around 1823 gave up violin making, taking up various jobs including becoming an elephant trainer in a travelling circus. Returned to London c.1840, and by 1851 was established at 60 Wardour Street, once again as a violin maker, the business he occupied until his death. Developed great skill in reproducing master instruments as well as making imitations in persuasive style, not necessarily of particular instruments. Became London agent for J. B. Vuillaume and also carried out work for him. Adept at ‘converting’ the work of lesser makers into that of more desirable and valuable names. One of the first makers to imitate Guarneri del Gesù closely, several of his copies are known to have been traded as original Guarneris. Teacher of Edward Withers who retained a quartet of his work. Very rarely labelled with his own name. Most instruments bear facsimiles of other labels. J. F. Lott London [BVMA]
Cecie Stainer+
Second son of John Frederick Lott, sen.; d. 1871. He worked for Davis, of Coventry Street, London, and made skilful imitations of Italian instruments.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Zweiter Sohn von John Fred. L. sen. Er arbeitete meist für Davis und
war namentlich als geschickter Imitator berühmt. Charles Reade machte ihn
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