A Fine 18th Century English Violin by Richard Duke

Richard Duke (1718-1783) was a prolific and well respected London-based English luthier, an artisan acknowledged even in his own time who made instruments for the royal family from 1768, possibly studied with Peter Wamsley, expanded his business to multiple locations and delved into music publishing. Richard Duke employed several notable craftsmen, including the likes of William Napier and John Betts, who succeeded him by purchasing the shop upon his death in 1783. Generally, most instruments were crafted upon patterns of Stainer and Amati, but he modeled Stradivarius copies after an authentic example he owned from 1692. Typically, branded to the back beneath the button. This highly characteristic example from the mid to late 1770’s is not branded but was last sold by Ifshin Violins in 2019; formerly, the property of an Astro-physics professor.