An Interesting English Violin by Bradley E. Elliot, 1927

An interesting violin attributed to Bradley E. Elliot, England - 1927. Although I haven’t found any references to this particular maker in any of my research, the violin does boast a willow back, a hallmark found more commonly in and most associated with the English school. The scroll features faux bushings and a fake graft, with a deep, elegant throat and a smaller, delicate head. The instrument was heavily antiqued, including a fake inclusion ascending from the lower edge of the back, with distress and craqueleur, probably accomplished by charcoal rubbed into the deep orange of the rather pleasing, translucent varnish. The pattern too is interesting, with sloped shoulders and rather slender bouts, deceptively lending the violin a longer look. In fact, the back length is only 355mm; finished with matching jujube fittings which feature unstained boxwood accents and Evah Pirazzi strings. It’s voice is remarkably sweet and clear, and would be most highly desirable for a serious chamber musician, in my opinion.