John Grice

John Dilworth

GRICE, John Worked circa. 1728-1753 London & Edinburgh UK. Originally from London according to his labels, he was working in Norwich in 1728, at ‘Cock Yard, Ramping Horse Street’. By 1733 he was in Edinburgh, the first violin maker of note to become established there. In 1743 he was in Antwerp; a violin of his is in the Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels. Returned to Edinburgh and a violin labelled from there and dated 1753 is recorded in Rattray. A viola of large form dated 1728 (BVMA catalogue) is vaguely Brescian in style, but also very reminiscent of Flemish work in this period, with long slanting soundholes and small finial circles. Head is a little clumsy, materials fairly plain, painted purfling, and varnish thin and amber coloured. The violin of 1753 has very Staineresque soundholes by contrast, close-set and upright but with similar small finial circles. The head is more delicately cut, the instrument properly purfled, and the varnish a richer golden colour. Manuscript labels: Made by John Grice / In Cock Yard In Ramping / Horse Street St Stephens / In Norwich from London / 1728 Maker John Grice / Edinburgh 1753 [BVMA, Rattray]