RASTELLI.—Genoa; nineteenth century.
RAU, August.—Markneukirchen; contemporary. A good bow-maker. Worked for a time with Weichold of Dresden.
RAUCH.—Chiefly eighteenth century. Some fourteen or fifteen makers of the name worked in Komotau (Bohemia), and in different German towns. Jacob Rauch worked in Mannheim, and it is said that his instruments are high built and clumsy looking but possess a good tone.
RAUT, Jean.—Rennes; eighteenth century.
RAWLINS.—London; eighteenth century. Practically unknown, but the name appears in most books on the violin.
RAYMAN, Jacob.—London; 1620-57. A Tyrolese. German looking fiddles. The varnish is the best feature about them.
REICHEL.—As there were about fifty or more makers of this name, principally in Markneukirchen, detailed notice of their work is out of the question.
REMY.—Paris and London; eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. There were five or more members of this family engaged in fiddle making. Mathurin François, the founder, worked circa 1760-1800. Guersan style of work. Yellow varnish. Jean Mathurin, his son, died in 1854, and is reputed a better workman. Two of the latter’s sons, Hippolyte and Jules, died in 1876 and 1869. A maker of the name better known in this country was the Remy who worked in London about the middle of the last century. Hart says that he spoilt his fiddles by artificially maturing the wood. However that may be he was a clever imitator of Italian work. The writer has seen examples which were much above the average of such things; in particular one or two copies of Guarneri del Gesù. He also copied Maggini with success. His relationship to the Paris family is not stated.
RENAUDIN, Leopold.—Paris. Born Mirecourt 1749. Guillotined during the French Revolution 1795. He used various labels; one of large size with an engraving representing a musical performance. He is best known as a double-bass maker, but his work generally is not plentiful. The violins high built and clumsy looking. Yellowish varnish, some of which is much oxydised.
RENAULT, Sebastien B.—Paris; circa 1755-1811. Firm Renault and Chatelain. They were musical instrument makers, and the violins are not often seen.