Richard Duke Violin London Early 18th Century

This violin was made by Richard Duke in the mid 18th century in London. One of the most prolific English luthiers of his time, Duke began his career in London in 1743, over time expanding his business to several different workshops and employing makers such as William Napier and John Betts. Duke's making followed a number of different styles over the course of his life, with his early work often being reminiscent of another English maker Peter Wamsley, with whom Duke might have studied. He was also well-versed with models of Stainer, Amati, and Stradivarius, and was noted to be an early proponent of copying instruments from the Cremonese school. This violin is branded "Duke / London" below the button on the back. The body measures 353mm along the back, 161mm across the upper bouts and 200mm across the lower bouts. It has a two-piece back of maple, which is highly flamed with a medium curl and which tends towards the broader side. The ribs match the back plate, and the top is of a finely grained spruce with high arching. The varnish is a dark gold-brown, which leans toward a red-brown on the top in some places, and the fittings are all of ebony. This instrument is in good condition, and bears some marks of previous repairs from the course of its extensive history. This violin possesses an internal resonance of the highest quality, and is remarkably smooth. It retains its clarity at all dynamics and intensities, and enjoys a warm, broad lower register as well as a brilliant and sonorous higher register. It is very well suited to all forms of playing at a professional level. Please contact us if you would like to book an appointment to try this beautiful violin.