Violin by David Stirrat, Edinburgh, 1819

About David Stirrat

David Stirrat was born in Ayrshire in 1768 and lived in Glasgow before setting up his workshop in Edinburgh. Stirrat is probably best known for his connection to his contemporary Matthew Hardie, however he is also a very fine maker in his own right.

Stirrat worked at three locations on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, the High Street of the capital city. This violin was made whilst his workshop was situated at the top of the somewhat off-puttingly named Fleshmarket Close. Stirrat's work is relatively rare and there are few known examples after 1819, apart from the evidence of his hand as an outworker in a Matthew Hardie violin dated 1822.

About the violin

This violin was made in Edinburgh in 1819 and is based on the same long pattern Stradivari model as inspired Matthew Hardie.

The violin has a one piece back of quarter-sawn maple with ribs to match. The head is of plainer maple. The front is two pieces of spruce with relatively prominent winter growth and the varnish is Stirrat's characteristic reddish-brown.

The violin has a length of back of 358 mm.

How does it sound?

This violin has a pure, slightly vintage tone which really sings in slow airs. It's even across the strings and very responsive. The sound carries very well: it's one of those instruments that manages to sound intimate up close but still project across the room.

Condition

The violin is in excellent condition, having been recently modernised in a very sympathetic way by Matthew Fenge. Matthew made new pegs for violin which are copies of the original pegs on another Stirrat violin. The original neck and bass bar have been preserved and will be included in the sale.

More information

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