Joseph Anthony Chanot Violin London c.1900

Joseph Anthony Chanot was the younger son and successor of Georges II. Born in London in 1865, Joseph Anthony was a prolific maker of violins and bows and also had an early involvement in the revival of viol making, advanced by the musician and musicologist Arnold Dolmetsch. Joseph Anthony died in 1936, and the shop was continued by his sons William Arthur (1899-1966) and John Alfred (1904-1981). 

This violin is unlabelled, but sold with a certificate of authenticity by John Dilworth. The body measures 357mm along the back, 168mm across the upper bouts and 207mm across the lower bouts. It has a two-piece back of lightly flamed maple with a medium curl, and matching ribs and scroll. The top is a finely grained spruce, finished with light brown varnish on a golden ground, and boxwood tailpiece and pegs. 

This violin has an intensely rich core of sound, which projects with a smooth and graceful sense of power with very little extra noise. This characteristic smoothness extends to its playability, with a lower action and fast response, making quick changes of mood or nuance while playing feel very accessible. It would best suit players at a tertiary or professional level, and has the flexibility to match many different formats, with blending in chamber settings being just as easy as playing over an orchestra. 

Please contact us if you would like to try this beautiful violin.