HILL.—A well-known family of fiddle-makers and dealers, whose connection with stringed instruments dates back to the seventeenth century. Some of the earlier members were makers of much ability. Amongst them may be mentioned Joseph Hill II., son of another maker of the same Christian name; this maker died in 1784, and first worked with Banks and Peter Wamsley. His copies of Amati violins, though not scrupulously exact, have frequently passed as originals, and some are thoroughly good instruments. His violoncellos are also in high esteem amongst players. Two other Josephs were also makers, and seem to have worked both on their own account, and for the trade. There were two Lockey Hills, the second of whom, named Henry Lockey, was employed by John Betts. The writer has met with some beautiful examples of his instruments, the style and finish of which were most praiseworthy, and the pattern that of Stradivari. The present widely known firm of W. E. Hill & Sons was established in Wardour Street by William Ebsworth Hill, and is now located in Bond Street, London. W. E. Hill died in 1895. Though a skilful workman he made few new instruments, and devoted his attention chiefly to repairing and dealing in old violins. The active members of the present firm are Arthur Frederick, born in 1860, and Alfred Ebsworth, born in 1862. As a judge of old fiddles and basses the latter holds a foremost place. The firm has published monographs on various notable instruments, and the work on Antonio Stradivari is the most exhaustive account of that maker and his work which has been published.
HJORTH.—Copenhagen. A family of makers established in Copenhagen since about the end of the eighteenth century. The founder was Andrea, who died there in 1834, and copied the pattern of Amati. His instruments are branded “A. H. H.” Emil Hjorth, born 1840, and his son Otto carry on the business, and have made good copies. The former at one time worked with Bernardel in Paris.
HÖRLEIN, Karl Adam.—Kitzingen, Würzburg. Died 1902. Pupil of Lemböck, in Vienna. In later years imported fiddles from Markneukirchen, which he varnished and finished personally.
HOFFMANN.—Numerous makers of the name worked in different parts of Germany. One of the best known is Martin Hoffmann, who worked in Leipzig until about 1725. A son, Johann Christian, was at work there until about 1750.
HOFMANN, Anton.—Vienna. Died 1871. Carried on a large business as a maker and repairer in Vienna, and dealt with Tarisio.
HOFMANS, Matthias.—Antwerp; 1700-50. Good work, and excellent varnish of Italian character and appearance. HOMOLKA.—There were nearly a dozen makers of the name in Prague and elsewhere (one in Vienna). The best known was Ferdinand August Vincenz, who died in 1890, and was a clever copyist of Italian masters, including Peter Guarneri of Mantua. Others of the family are: Emmanuel Adam, died 1849 in Prague; and Edward Emmanuel, born 1860. The latter is a good maker, and judge of old instruments.
HOPF.—A large number of makers of this name have operated in Klingenthal, Markneukirchen, and elsewhere in Germany for generations. Some were tolerable workmen; others most indifferent. Most of them used to brand their work, and the name Hopf may be seen branded on productions of the very commonest class, which are hardly fit to be described as violins.
HORNSTEINER.—The family name of a small army of Mittenwald fiddle-makers who have been at work for several generations. Several bore the same Christian name, and space prohibits any attempt to describe or discriminate between their works. Matthias II. and Joseph II., who worked down to about the first decade of the nineteenth century, are amongst the best of this numerous tribe.
HOYER.—A Klingenthal family of makers dating from the eighteenth century to very recent times. Von Lütgendörff enumerates nearly forty workmen of this name.
HUEL, Henri.—Paris; to about 1780. Little known; used a large label.