violin
Maker
John Smith
Production date
1905
Description
This violin was made by John Smith of Falkirk in 1905 and is numbered 54. The violin back and sides (ribs) are made from maple, the front is alpine spruce (he used this even when he was in Canada and imported it from Europe - local not of same quality). Pegs are Brazilian rosewood and black timber is ebony. The bridge is new and on the wrong way around. It was finished with Whitelaw amber varnish which prevents it warping. See curators notes. It is in a blue velvet lined crocodile skin case along with its bow, spare strings, bridge and rosin. The case is of the right era and would have been expensive. There is a paper label inside the instrument.
Its maker, John Smith, learnt his trade and worked in Falkirk before emigrating to Canada in 1910. He was one of the foremost Scottish violin makers of the early 20th century. He won an award for his work at the Glasgow International Exhibition of 1901.
It was sold in Canada in 1919 for $300 to a Mr Grigg. It had two other owners before it was given to the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. They sold it to raise funds for the orchestra.
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Object detail
Dimensions:violin:W 21cm (W 8 1/4")
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