Jooris WILLEMS

A maker in Ghent about 1630-65. The first mention of him is in August, 1634, as player of the cornet in Saint Bavon's Cathedral (Ghent). His instruments are generally made of finely figured maple-wood; the corners short and thin; the sound-holes are graceful and more like the Italian model. A tenor-viol had the back made of lime-tree wood and was labelled: "Jooris Willems tot Ghendt, 1642." In 1658 he supplied two viols for use in the choir of Saint Bavon. A violin of small pattern, with yellow varnish, was labelled: '' Jooris Willems tot Ghendt, 1659." The last mention of this maker in the Cathedral archives is in 1662. His son, Nicolas, was appointed viol player in the Cathedral, Aug. 5, 1671.