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Violin by George Duncan, Glasgow, 1880
About George Duncan
George Duncan was born in Kingston-on-Spey on the 17th of January 1855. His father was employed as a ‘carrier’: Kingston had a thriving shipbuilding industry and the role was likely that of porter, carrying good about the docks. In 1862 there were 57 carpenters and joiners employed in the shipbuilding yards: the presence of so many highly skilled woodworkers in a small Morayshire village must have had a great impact on the young George.
By 1875 Duncan had taken over a workshop in Glasgow's Brunswick Street. Still in his very early twenties, he gives the impression of an ambitious and hard working young man. His work was to be rewarded at the London Inventions exhibition of 1885, where he beat the great Hungarian maker Béla Szepessy to the gold medal!
Despite finding professional success, Duncan made the decision to leave Glasgow and emigrate to Canada in 1892. Duncan had found himself having to appear as a witness in a sensational court case involving the Glasgow dealer David Laurie and a fraudulently-presented Strad: we have to wonder if that experience and the resulting damage to the violin industry informed his decision making process.
About the violin
This violin was made in 1880, whilst Duncan had his workshop at 21 Brunswick Street in Glasgow's Merchant City. The violin is modelled after the instruments of Stradivari.
The violin has a two piece back of quarter sawn maple with ribs and scroll to match. The front is two pieces of very finely-grained spruce and the varnish is a shaded reddish-brown, laid over a golden ground.
The violin has a length of back of 356 mm.
How does it sound?
This violin has a lovely gritty texture to the lower register and a pure, slightly vintage tone as you move higher up the instrument. It's quick to respond and projects well.
Condition
The violin is in excellent condition with some wear to the varnish. It retains its original label and is stamped multiple times internally.
Further information
Please get in touch for more details about this fine Scottish violin by George Duncan for sale and a member of our team will get back to you.