DIEHL.—A number of makers of the name worked in Germany in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
DODD.—An English family, chiefly distinguished as bow-makers, in the late eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries. There were seven or eight workmen. John, born at Stirling, 1752, died in Richmond Workhouse, 1839, was the best-known bow-maker, and at least two Edwards, one of whom attained the age of 105 years, were also makers. Thomas Dodd, who died in about 1820, had a business as instrument dealer and maker in St. Martin’s Lane, London. He does not seem to have made instruments personally, but discovered a fine varnish which he put upon excellent instruments made for him by Bernhard Fendt, John Lott, and other workmen. These instruments, especially the violoncellos, are of great merit and handsome appearance, and realise good prices.
DÖRFFELL, also Dörffler.—The name of fully a score of German makers working in Klingenthal and Markneukirchen; eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
DOLLENZ.—Trieste; nineteenth century; there were two of the name.
DUCHESNE, Nicholas.—Paris; about 1750. Branded instruments of no great merit.
DUKE, Richard.—London; circa 1750-85. A celebrated English maker. Chiefly copied Stainer, but also Amati, and more rarely Stradivari. Well-finished work. Usually red-brown varnish of rather dull hue, but lighter shades are seen. Instruments commonly stamped under the button. Spurious and counterfeit “Dukes,” many not in the least resembling the originals, abound. His son, Richard, attained no distinction.
DULFENN, Alexander.—Leghorn; about 1700 and later. Specimens seen by writer were of wretched material and poor workmanship.
DVORAK.—Prague. Died 1890. A good copyist, who has left some well-made fiddles and violoncellos.
DYKES, Harry, and Sons.—London; contemporary. Well-known dealers and repairers. The sons, George and Arthur D., are both skilful workmen.
EBERLE.—Various makers of the name worked in Prague and elsewhere during the eighteenth century. The chief Prague maker was Johannes Udalricus Eberle, 1699-1768, a skilful workman who has left a good many instruments, generally on the lines of Stainer, with handsome wood and well-cut scrolls. Varnish on many of them is excellent and of considerable brilliancy. Tomaso Eberle worked in Naples down to about 1790. It does not appear whether he was related to the Prague family. There is little or no trace of German teachings in his violins, which are of the Gagliano class, and often bear Gagliano tickets. He may have worked with Niccolò Gagliano or some other member of the family. The varnish is similar to that used by that family; the work usually neat and well finished. Wood well-chosen and sometimes handsome.