Jacob (II) RAYMAN

b. in the Tyrol, but settled in London about 1620, living first at Blackman Street, then at Bell Yard, Southwark. He worked till about 1650. He seems to have been one of the earliest makers of violins in England ; they are of small size, of rather an ugly pattern, not arched. with small sound-holes ; the scroll also small but well cut; the varnish very fine, its colour a yellow-brown tinged with red; the tone, clear and penetrating. He also made some fine tenors, the workmanship good, although the purfling is sometimes defective. His instruments show ability and talent, and are greatly valued ; they have many of the characteristics of German work, and differ greatly from the work of the old English viol makers. In Thomas Britton's collection of instruments was an " extraordinary Rayman " and also " three others ditto." Labels : " Jacob Rayman dwelling in Blackman Street, Long-Southwark, 1641," and "Jacob Rayman, at ye Bell Yard in Southwarke, London, 1648."