Description
A fine Anglo-English violin made for George Hart, London, circa 1900
At the turn of the 20th century Hart & Sons figured as one of the most influential dealers in old violins in London alongside W.E. Hill & Sons, Chanot and J&A Beare. As the business developed in the 1890s, they produced a large variety of instruments ‘guaranteed English made’ that bear their label. At their very best, these include instruments made by the fabled Voller brothers, who both provided fine copies of exceptional Stradivari and Guarneri violins that passed through the Hart’s workshop, and also more ordinary violins – some in imitation of contemporaneous Italian work, and some that falls much closer to the standards of making. This particular violin, labelled for Hart & Sons has ebony purfling and the familiar neck-setting that points towards the Voller Brothers as it’s makers, and the antiquing of the varnish is more in keeping with English fashions rather than French. However, the overall workmanship is much more in keeping with French, Mirecourt-trained makers who were coming to England and to Wardour Street for employment. Hence the violin is very typical of the mixture of styles that typifies this particular point in London making, and is an excellent example of 19th century Stradivarian influence.
There is a broad variety of instruments that found Hart & Sons labels from straightforward German manufactured instruments to very sought-after examples of high-quality English workmanship, and we caution running to hasty conclusions.
Certificate: Benjamin Hebbert
Condition notes: The violin is in a very good state of preservation.
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