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ADAMS, Lloyd George (1910-1970) Violin maker and repairer. Apprenticed to A.E. Smith in the 1920s. Worked mostly in Sydney before moving to the US in 1957 to work in Minneapolis, then independently in Boston, c.1965. Exhibited a violin and bow in Wurlitzer's Loan Exhibition, New York, 1966. Returned to Adelaide in 1970. (For 3 pages of information about Lloyd Adams and 2 photographed examples see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
ADAMSON, David Beveredge (1823-1891) Born in Scotland and came to Australia with his family in 1839. A mechanical genius who made many scientific devices, as well as toys, furniture and musical instruments. Thought to have made at least one violin dated 1841.
AGAR, Paul Ross (b.1954) Amateur maker, assisted by Alex Grant (1999 - 2001). To 2008 has made 8 violins.
AIRTH, William Burns (1828-1904) Worked at Edinburgh (1860-1881). Pupil of James Hardie and married his daughter in 1852. Came to Australia in 1883, first to Melbourne then Sydney. Not known whether he produced instruments in Australia.
AKERMAN, John (b.1937) Retired architect, self-taught maker always using Tasmanian timbers. Began making in 1984. To 2008 has made about 70 instruments including 3 cellos, 4 gambas and about 25 bows. Instruments labelled with name, Hobart and year; bows unmarked.
ALLAN, Thomas (1875-1941) Coal miner born in UK. Learned violin making from his father and grandfather. Made violins for his ten children in England, then migrated to Australia in 1927. Continued violin making in Hurstville, Australia.
ALSAKER, Charles Svend (c.1877-1953) An amateur violin maker who was a Norwegian mariner working in the coal trade.
AMENT, Robert Ian (b.1940) Violin maker, Anula, NT, who has some input from Norman Miller. To 2008 has made about 25 violins, 10 violas and 3 cellos.
ANDERBERG, Janne (b.1944) Amateur maker, Glenbrook, NSW. Assisted by Beardsmore and Coggins. Made 1 violin and 1 cello.
ANDERSON, John (1882-1973) Came to Australia in 1912, and made his first instrument in 1917. Made 43 violins, the last in 1960. Friendly with Dow and Hume, he used wood obtained from Dow and also some Australian timber. (For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
APLIN, Thomas Wolsley (b.1917) Amateur maker, Chiswick, NSW. Assisted by Harry Vatiliotis. Began making in the 1960's and to 2003 had made around 25 violins as well as violas, cellos, double basses and mandolins.
ARCARO, Roberto Antonio (b.1972) Began making violins with Paul Davies. Went to UK to work at Cremona House in Bristol and studied at NSVM, but left to take up a position with Roger Hansell in Yorkshire. Returned to Australia in 2001 and now working in Hallam, Vic.
ARMSTRONG, Phillip - Labelled Perth, WA, 1975.
ARMSTRONG, Thomas (1858-1949) Worked in Adelaide, then Melbourne in 1920's.
ARTER, Richard Harry Bulwar (1900-1976) Self-taught maker, South Caulfield, Vic. Produced at least 41 violins between 1966 and 1975 using European timbers.
AUCHTERLONIE, William (1879-1965) Amateur maker, self-taught, Balgownie, NSW. Came to Australia in 1902. First violin made in 1921 for his daughter. Made 53 violins and 12 bows, the last in 1954.
AUSTERNIN, Kathleen Robin (b.1940) Amateur maker, Lawson, NSW. Assisted by Beardsmore and Coggins. Made 1 viola.
AUSTIN, F. C. - Violin, Sydney, 1918.
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BANNISTER, Eli (and Sons) (c.1862-1929) Migrated to Sydney in 1884. Sons were Eli, Claude and Harold. Worked at 246a Elizabeth St, Sydney from 1922 to 1929 then at 841 George St from 1930 to 1931. Imported and repaired violins, not known if they also made instruments.
BARBER, Stephen Jeffrey (b.1948) Maker of violins, guitars and mandolins, Hornsby, NSW. To 2008 has made about 8 violins using both European and local timbers.
BATCHELOR, Arthur John (c.1920-2005)
BAWDEN, Lambert Ferris (1824-1920) Amateur maker, Yorketown, SA. Made his first instrument (db) at age 72, eventually producing a further 40 violins, several violas and 6 cellos. Used various timbers, including Australian and American.
BEADLE, Eldred (1863-1949) Arrived in Melbourne in 1889. Made about 30 violins, several violas and two cellos between 1899 and 1925. Worked in East Kew and made about 50 instruments.
BEAMES, John Douglas - Studied in England, now working in Toowoomba, Qld.
BEARDSMORE, Adele Ruby Lisa (b.1966) Dip.NSVM (1987). Worked for Contrada Musica, Amersfoort, The Netherlands (1989-1991). Instruments made in Wadebridge (1987-1989), Amersfoort (1989-1991), Cambridge (1991-1993), Wentworth Falls (1994-1996) and Blackheath (from 1997).
BECKER, Herbert Edward (1883-1929) Amateur violin maker, Carlton, Melbourne, working in the 1920's.
BEILHARZ, Rainer (b.1964) Journeyman cert. Markneukirchen (1993), Master cert. with distinction Germany (1997). Began with John Ferwerda in 1982, worked in Germany 1989-1997, self-employed in Australia from 1997. Instruments made in Melbourne (1984-1989), Laufen a.d. Salzach (1989-1991), Stuttgart (1992-1997) and Guildford (from 1998). To 2002 had made 54 instruments and 6 bows.
BEILHARZ, Volker Ulrich (b.1961) Began making in the mid 1980's. Trained with David Sayers (1989-1991) and eventually purchased his business. Worked initially in Hawthorn and then at Lower Templestowe in Melbourne.
BELANYI, Attila Laszlo (b.1961) Son of Les Balanyi, one one violin inder his father's supervision.
BELANYI, Laszlo (Les) (b.1935) Violin maker and repairer, Blakehurst, NSW. Hungarian who learned violin playing in Germany and came to Australia in 1950. Worked as violin repairer for Landis Music, Park St, Sydney in early 1970's. To 2008 had made 132 violins, 20 violas, and 3 cellos. Uses traditional, Canadian and Australian timbers.
BELL, David Stuart (b.1930) Mostly self-taught maker, Beaumont, SA. Some asssistance from Rex Thompson, and used Thompson's varnish on some instruments. Has made 3 violins and 2 violas, the first in 1972.
BELL, E. W. - Made at least 5 instruments.
BELL, Ronald Henry (b.1930) A retired school teacher in Mitcham, Vic who began making instruments in 1993, initially with advice from David Brown at Montsalvat. Later learned from Roger Buckmaster over a period of ten years. To 2006 Bell had made 5 violins and 4 violas. Made 1 violin and 1 viola using Australian timbers, the rest made with European wood. Handwritten labels with full name and the location and year.
BELL, William (1877-1965) Made violins from 1925 to 1950.
BERTWISTLE, Frederich Walter (1965-1961 ) Mosman, 1948.
BERWICK, Leonard George - Violin maker, Upwey, Vic.
BIRRELL, Thomas (c.1845-1919) Amateur maker, worked near Ivanhoe, Vic.
BOLLIGER, Matthew Charles (b.1965) Dip. Swiss School of Violin Making. Also attended restoration course at Oberlin, Ohio and double bass making workshop in Quebec, Canada. Worked as a violin repairer in Basel. Made first violin at age of 17, assisted by Harry Vatiliotis.
BORZAK, Miklos Istvan (b.1935) Learned violin making from his father in Hungary. Made 3 violins in Tasmania plus many guitars.
BOULTON, Leslie Cecil (1888-1971) Amateur maker who made at least 1 violin and some bows.
BRANFORD, Wilfred Ernest (1914-1998) Tumby Bay, S.A.
BRIDGES, Samuel Augustus (1842-1920) Worked at 325 Elizabeth St, Sydney (1904 - 1905) then at 439 Elizabeth St (1906 - 1920). Possibly only assembled and adjusted imported violins.
BRIDGLAND, Geoffrey - Maker of Hardanger fiddles in SA.
BRIGGS, Maurice Arthur (b.1928) Born London, came to Australia 1960. Toolmaker who has made 4 savart-style violins.
BRIGHT, George Edward (c.1880-1945) Brick maker from Qld, exhibited violin made from Qld timbers at British Empire Exhibition, 1924.
BRIMS, James Alexander (1874-1946) Amateur maker in Qld.
BRITON, Graeme (b.1948) Mainly makes guitars but made cello from Tasmanian timbers with some advice from John Akerman and Phillip Smith.
BROWN, Alfred Ernest (c.1869-1929) Second son of Walter James Brown. Worked in partnership with his father from early 1890s. Not known if he made any instruments.
BROWN, Anthony - Worked in London 1850-1875, pupil of John Morrison and also worked with John Panormo. Came to Australia in 1875. Made a large number of guitars and also made violins in England and Adelaide.
BROWN, David Charles (b.1947) High school manual arts teacher who makes a wide variety of instruments. Has recently developed his own brand of pickups for violin and cellos called the 'Wedge' pickup which he now markets.
BROWN, David S. (b.1947) Studied with Warren Fordham for 5 years at Montsalvat, Eltham, Vic and then took over his studio there. Uses both Australian and European timbers.
BROWN, George Edward Marshall (?-1992) Amateur maker, Rouse Hill, NSW. Made about 50 instruments.
BROWN, John - Won prizes at Melbourne Exhibition, 1880.
BROWN, John {II} - Son of John Brown. Chief repairer at Collin's Music Warehouse, 1924.
BROWN, Richard Thomas (1918-1997) Maker of violins, violas and cellos in WA.
BROWN, Simon Morris (b.1968) Began training with John Godschall Johnson then studied at Cremons. Awarded Dip.IPIALL (1991). REturned to Australia 1994 and has now made over 40 instruments, with strong interest in period instruments.
BROWN, Walter James (c.1823-1899) Violin maker born in London, his father and grandfather were also violin makers, both named James Brown. Initially worked in Sydney until 1859. Later moved to Melbourne and worked at 56 then 227 Little Collins St, East Melbourne, Vic. Exhibited in Melbourne Exhibition, 1888-1889.
BRUNELLI, Bruno (?-2006) Melbourne maker, donated instruments to underpriveleged families.
BUCK, Richard John (1871-1958) Initially learned from George Pyne (London) and worked in his workshop for ten years (1890-1900). Migrated to Melbourne in 1906 and resumed violin making in 1920, producing 12 instruments over the subsequent five years.
BUCKMASTER, Roger Owen (b.1944) Initially learned from Colin Kerr and William Dolphin (Melbourne). Later studied at Loughborough University (UK) and with Wilfred Saunders (1982), also at J & A Beare (London) and with Lambert Hornet (Scotland). Worked 6 years for Maton and 3 years for Davis Music House in Melbourne. Formed R.O. & B. Buckmaster Pty Ltd in 1975 and has worked from Balwyn, Vic since 1995.
BULITZ, Henry (1887-1952) Violin inscribed with makers name, Mary St, Rosalie, Brisbane, 1929.
BULL, David George (1880-1946) Violin maker, Melbourne, 1910.
BURGESS, Phillip (1929-2009) Apprenticed to A.E. Smith in 1944 and completed his first violin in 1945. Appointed workshop manager in 1952. Left in 1954 to set up as a violin maker and repairer in the Royal Arcade, Sydney. After a fire he returned as workshop manager for Smith in 1959. (For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
BUSSEY, Roy Redmond (1930-2006) Amateur maker, 1960's. Made only two violins with wood he obtained from Smiths. Hand written label with name and date.
BUTTERWORTH, Sydney (c.1932-2002) Violin maker, Windeyer, NSW. Studied with Jim Robinson. To 2002 had made 12 violins and a viola.
BYNON, Cecil William (b.1935) Became interested in violin making through his father, Gordon Bynon, and his great-uncle, Tom Richards. To 2008 has made 5 violins and some Appalachian dulcimers.
BYNON, Gordon William (1902-1996) Gained some input in violin making from his uncle, Tom Richards.
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CALDERSMITH, Graham William (b.1943) Violin maker and repairer, initially in Canberra and then moved to Kendall, NSW. Prominent researcher into violin and guitar acoustics with has published many articles on the subject. To 2007 had made 102 violins, 52 violas and 36 cellos. Now focusing on instruments made from Australian woods.
CAMPBELL, Brian (b.1937) Amateur maker, Drummoyne, NSW. Began making in the late 1970's, assisted by Harry Vatiliotis. To 2008 has made 8 violins, 8 violas and a cello.
CAMPBELL, Gordon - Cabinet maker who made some instruments at classes run by Harry Vatiliotis.
CAMPBELL, Wilfred James (1898-1893) Maker in Burnie, Tasmania.
CANSDELL, Ian (b.1945) Amateur maker, Wallacia, NSW.
CARTER, John -
CASIGLIA, Alfredo (1937-2008) Made two violins and a viola at classes run by Harry Vatiliotis.
CHADBAN, Bruce - Amateur maker, produced one violin.
CHAINIE, Frank (c.1842-?) Worked at 502 Darling St, Balmain/Rozelle (1902-1918). (For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
CHAPMAN, Francis Clement (b.1932) Made 10 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos. Uses 1733 Kreisler Guarneri as his preferred model.
CHAPMAN, Gabriel Micah (b.1968) Worked initially at the Fiddle Factory, Sydney where he trained with David Glanville for a few years, then worked as manager there for 6 years. Other input from overseas makers such as Rudolpho Marchini, Rome. To 2003 had made 2 violins, and is currently self-employed mainly doing repairs.
CHAPMAN, Ken - Amateur maker from Cooranbong, NSW. Taught by John Young.
CHARLES, John - Cabinet maker from Collingwood, Melbourne.
CHESSELL, Murray George (b.1944) Amateur maker and repairer in East Malvern, Vic.
CHRISTIE, Gillian Annis - see CHRISTIE, Gillian Annis
CLARK, Julian (b.1937) Maker of bows for early stringed instruments. Began bow making in the early 1970s, encouraged by David Rubio and with support of Percy Bryant and Arthur Bultitude. Worked for J & A Beare, London as their sole early bow maker for over 10 years.
CLARKE, Cedric (1929-2000) Son of Charles Clarke. Worked for A.E Smith & Co. for two and a half years (1944 - 1947), then left to work for Lloyd Adams at 154 Castlereagh St, Sydney. Learned bow making from Adams and worked with him for around 3 years. Moved from Castlereagh St. to work from his home in St. Ives in 1970. (For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
CLARKE, Charles Henry Spridgeons (1882-1965) Emigrated to WA in 1909 and moved to the eastern states in 1914. Began work at A.E. Smith in 1916. Made a little over 100 instruments plus some bows (pernumbuco and Australian timber). Established his own shop in Turramurra, NSW, in 1948. (For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
CLARKE, Gillian Annis (c.1951-2008) Violin teacher and maker in Sydney. Studied with Jim Robinson. Made some full size and a number of half and three-quarter size instruments.
CLARKE, Ian William (b.1948) Dip.NSVM.
COGGINS, Alan John (b.1954) Studied violin making with Adele Beardsmore and worked in partnership with her from 1994. Instruments made in Cambridge (1993), Wentworth Falls (1994-1996) and Blackheath (from 1996).
COLE, Christopher Robert (b.1953) Amateur maker, Katoomba, NSW. Assisted by Beardsmore and Coggins. Made 1 violin.
COLE, Creagh McLean (b.1954) Amateur maker, Sydney. Assisted by Beardsmore and Coggins. Made 1 violin.
COLEMAN, Stephen Ronald (b.1958) Amateur maker, Blaxland, NSW, assisted by Beardsmore and Coggins. Made 1 baroque violin.
COLLINS, Simon William (b.1960) Son of William Robertson Collins. Made one viola, with 2 more under construction.
COLLINS, William Robertson (b.1924) Maker and repairer, Rostrevor, SA. Influenced by William Dolphin and Kevin Williams. Began making in 1958 and to 2006 had made about 11 violins, 12 violas, 1 cello and 1 double bass.
COOK, Gary Terence Glenville (b.1958) Amateur maker, self-taught in England. Began making using traditional woods. Moved to Australia (Adelaide) in 1988 and continued making with alternate timbers, especially Australian, in 1997.
COOKE, Kerry Michael (b.1947) Studied with Norman Miller. Now working independently in Toowoomba, Qld.
COOKE, Reginald Morris (b.1934) Self-taught maker from Karalee, QLD. To 2008 has made 5 vn, 2 va and about 15 guitars.
COONEY, Mark Stewart (b.1958) Amateur maker, Wamberal NSW. Made 3 double basses.
COPE & ROBERTS - Worked at 37 Bell St, Fitzroy, Melbourne. Exhibited in Melbourne Exhibition, 1888 - 1889.
COPE, David (1848-1934) Father of David William Somerville Cope and probably the Cope of "Cope & Roberts". Musician and violin maker. Musician, violinist, composer and violin maker.
COPE, David Horace (1896-1970) Violin maker and repairer, pianist, organist and violinist in Melbourne. Learned violin making from his grandfather, David Cope.
CORIZZO, Guiseppe (Joe) (1940-2008) Studied in Rome (1962-1965) before moving to Australia in 1965. Began making in 1970 and to 2003 had made over 100 instruments (vn, va, vc, db, bows, guitars, mandolins).
CORRELL, Richard (1862-1932) Made first violin at age of 14. Worked in Adelaide (1888-1932), initially as a violin maker and repairer, later also importer of various instruments.
COX, Richard Ashton (b.1966) Learned initially with Dante Roccisano in Adelaide. Worked as a repairer for Brenton Fyfield, Violineri and later Alex Grant in Melbourne. Made first violin in 2000 and to 2004 had made about 6 instruments.
CRAGG, Ronald David (b.1928) Apprenticed to A.E. Smith in 1943 and worked there until 1956. Made 3 violins but was primarily involved in repair work and sales. Joined SSO in 1957 and played with them until 1982, then started his own business, The Violinery, in Sydney.
CROOK, Robert William (1838-1897) Violin maker and repairer in Paddington, Sydney, 1890. Awarded prize at the Sydney Exhibition, 1879 for a contra bass.
CUMBERTON, Paul Joseph (b.1925) Thomastown, Melbourne, Vic. Made 13 violins, 2 violas and 1 cello to 1996.
CZECH, Antoni Franciszek (b.1933) Violin maker, Mt. Waverley, Vic. Studied with Josef Swirek and Jozef Bartoszek in Poland, Rod Ward and Brian Parkinson in England. Also learned bowmaking from John Clutterbuck and H. Dolling.
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DALY, Simon (b.1963) Violin maker and repairer based in ACT. Began making in 1995 and has made 3 vns and 2 guitars. Early influence from Graham Caldersmith, and later Alex Grant. Attended BVMA restoration course in 2006.
DAVIES, Paul Llewellyn
DAVIS, Bruce John (b.1958)
DAVIS, Edwin (Ted) John (b.1920) Amateur violin maker, Merrylands, NSW.
DAVIS, Jasmine (b.1967) Amateur maker from Central Coast NSW. Mainly self-taught with some input from internet forums and also David Glanville (who supplied plans and tonewood). Completed one cello in 2007.
DAVIS, John Edward (b.1937) Amateur maker, self-taught. Made 1 violin and numerous guitars.
DAWSON, Joseph James (1881-1955) Violin maker, Cessnock, NSW, 1927.
DAY, Rodney Keith (b.1937) Amateur violin maker, Wahroonga, Sydney.
DE CLOSAY, Ernest (Tiger) Henry Leopold (c.1859-1936) Sydney maker. Violin and viola, both dated 1917. Made from Australian timbers.
DE JONG, Mathijs - Dutch maker who worked in Perth before returning to the Netherlands.
DEARLOVE, Walter George (1852-1916) Born in England and migrated to Australia in 1890. Probably associated with the Dearlove family of makers in Leeds. Worked in Brisbane as a maker and repairer from early 1900's.
DEARLOVE, Walter George (II) (1882-1943) Son of Walter George Dearlove, worked as a violin maker in Brisbane, early 1900's to 1933.
DEVEREUX, John (c.1815-1883) One of Australia's earliest known violin makers. Worked at the London workshop of Bernhard Simon Fendt before migrating to Melbourne c.1854. Exhibited a db, a bass viol and 2 violins made from 'colonial wood' and a vn from English wood in the 1861 Victorian Exhibition. (For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
DITTERICH, Robert John Richard (b.1952) Began making in 1993 and worked as a maker and repairer in Newtown from mid 1990s. To 2004 had made over 25 instruments (vn, va, vc) from both Australian and imported woods.
DIVER, Thomas James (1891-1957) Made violins in the 1930s to 1940s in the Cessnock area.
DODS, William Whinfield (1872-1933) Amateur maker in Melbourne, c.1915-1930. Friend of William Dow who gave him some assistance. Made about 15 violins and 3 violas. Label has the outline of a violin, with name and date on the tail piece.
DOITSCHINOV, Vladimir Goranov (1926-1994) Violin maker in ACT. Trained with Georg Beerwanger, Beilefeld, West Germany.
DOLPHIN, Ian Paul (b.1961) Dip.NSVM. Grandson of William Dolphin.
DOLPHIN, William Edward (1903-1981) Migrated to Australia in 1912. One of A.E. Smith's first apprentices, he began at age 14 and made his first violin at 15. Moved to Melbourne in 1928 to open his own workshop. Worked for over 40 years at 363 Bourke St, Melbourne before moving to Wiseman St, Hawthorn, Vic. (For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
DOW, William Henry (c.1834-1928) Arrived in Melbourne in 1855. Worked as a patternmaker and lived at 11 Church St, South Melbourne. Exhibited in various Melbourne Exhibitions.
DRUMMOND, W. J. - Possibly Melbourne, name stamped on inside of back. Used Australian woods.
DUDMAN, Phillip John - Amateur violin maker, Engadine, NSW.
DUNN, Robert - Amateur violin maker, Willoughby, NSW. Assisted by Harry Vatiliotis.
DWYER, Sally Elizabeth (b.1979) Amateur maker, Vic. Made one violin under guidance of Roger Buckmaster.
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EATON, Douglas Napier (b.1938) Maker and repairer at Stanley River Music, Maleny, Qld.
EATON, Douglas Raymond (b.1929) Began making in 1970. Attended courses with Ian Clarke (violin making) and Lennox Holt (bow making).
EDWARD, David Gordon (1910-1999)
EDWARDS, Adam John (b.1972) Influenced by John G. Johnston and Douglas Finlay. Instruments made in Sydney (from 1996) and Tasmania. Changed name from Adam Humphreys.
ELLENDER, James Edward (b.1949) Bow maker (vn, va, vc, db) working in Sydney. Studied with George Rubino, USA (1992-1993). Began making in 1993 and has produced 230 bows to 2002, all pernumbuco with ebony/silver or ebony/gold. Had his own workshop in Croydon, Sydney until 2006 when he joined A. R. Irwin Violins in Edgecliff as their bow maker and repairer.
ELLIOT, Alexander Vaughan (b.1940) Amateur maker, Geraldton WA, experimenting with aluminium and magnesium bodied instruments. To 2007 had completed a 5 string violin/viola, a standard violin and a cornerless 'Chanot' style violin in aluminium, as well as a standard violin in magnesium, all with recessed head screw joined bodies; followed by an aluminium and a magnesium standard violin, both with screwless bonded bodies.
ELLIOT, Roland Oliver (1899-1973) Made 2 violins and 2 violas with assistance of A.E. Smith.
ELLIS, Jeffrey Anthony (b.1947) Studied with William Salchow in New York in 1989. Awarded 5 certificates of merit from the VSA and a silver medal at the Mittenwald Violin and Bow Making Competition (1993).
EPOCH - Australian company making a range of innovative acoustic violins, intended as robust student instruments at a reasonable price. Available in a variety of colours.
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FAIRWEATHER, Donald Frederick (1921-2006) Amateur maker, mostly self-taught using books by Harry Wake. Began making in 1983 and to 2004 had made 15 instruments including violas and 2 cellos. Labelled with instrument number, Don Fairweather, Melbourne and date (handwritten).
FALSON, Ernest Lindsay Vere (1915-1994) Amateur maker, assisted by Harry Vatiliotis. Made 3 violins.
FARRELL, William James (1870-1926) Came to Australia in 1920. First "true-tone" violin made in London in 1916, later favoured Australian timbers. Author of "The True-Tone Violin". Began making in 1914 and made around 100 instruments including 2 cellos and at least 1 viola. Operated shops at 110 Burwood St, Burwood.
FAZACKERLEY, Thomas (1865-1933) Tasmanian maker who made his first violin in 1905 from imported timber. Made at least 7 more violins, mostly from Australian wood.
FAZACKERLEY, William (1851-1929) Amateur violin maker. Brother of Thomas Fazackerley, and related to the Wiggins family of makers.
FEDJE, Jon Christian (b.1959) Bow maker, Vic.
FERGUSON, Thomas Patrick (b.1930)
FERWERDA, John Diedrich (b.1942) Dip.MSVM (1973). Set up business in Melbourne in 1978.
FIEBIG, Friedrich August (1833-1908) Amateur maker in SA. (For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
FINGLAND, Robert Duke (b.1936)
FINLAY, Douglas Ian (b.1958) Dip.NSVM (1987). Researched the use of Australian timbers for musical instruments, University of Tasmania (1981-1983). Worked in Adelaide (1988-1993), 'Marchington' Launceston (1993-1998) and Hobart (from 1998). Also extensively researched varnish and acoustics (1993-2003). To 2003 had made about 35 violins, 6 violas and 1 cello.
FOGARTY, Rayond Adolphus (b.1919)
FRANKLIN, William Edgeworth (c.1915-2007)
FUNKE, Dietrich (Peter) Eberhardt (1923-2007)
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GAGLIARDI, Felice (c.1880-1948) Violin maker and repairer, Lygon St. Carlton, Vic.
GARBETT, Peter Kenneth - Amateur violin maker, Otford, NSW.
GASON, Albert Ernest (1906-1971)
GAUCI, Anthony - Amateur maker, made one violin from European timbers.
GEE, Timothy Windsor (b.1947) Amateur violin maker, Epping, NSW. Taught by Harry Vatiliotis.
GEISLER, Francis William (1872-1957) Worked in Bendigo and made violins from various Australian timbers.
GILMORE, Richard Barnsley (1839-1884) Musician, violin and bagpipe maker in Melbourne in the 1870s and 1880s. Learned violin making from John Devereux. Worked in Footscray in 1875 and Carlton in 1881. Exhibited bagpipes in the 1875 Inter-Colonial Exhibition Melbourne.
GLANVILLE, David Edward (b.1957) Learned mainly from Harry Vatiliotis. First instrument made 1981 and to 2004 had made 6 violins and 1 viola. Formed Sydney String Centre in 1991 operating first at Naremburn (1991) then Castlecrag (1992-1996), Artarmon (1996-2001), Willoughby (2001-2008) and Chatswood (from 2009).
GLANVILLE, Elizabeth Jane (b.1987) Daughter of David Glanville. Made 1 cello.
GORDON, Eric Bexley (1906-?) Largely self-taught, made a number of violins.
GOSLING, Graham William (b.1939)
GOUGH, Elizabeth (1933-2007) Amateur violin maker, Henley, NSW. Made several violins, assisted by Harry Vatiliotis.
GOUGH, Paul Stanley (1933-2000) Amateur violin maker, Henley, NSW. Assisted by Harry Vatiliotis.
GOYNE-STEVENS, Richard Mathew (1899-1989) Amateur maker, Sydney. Made 4 violins.
GRAHAM, Benjamin (1886-1982) Self-taught amateur maker working at Hartwell, Vic. Started making in 1906 and to 1977 had made about 40 violins and violas.
GRAHAM, Henry (c.1824-1909) "Echolin" violin, round body with central cavity decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay.
GRAHAM, W. J. - Maker in Melbourne around 1890.
GRANT, Alexander William (b.1953) Dip.WSVM (1991) Initial guidance from Malcolm Collins (NZ). Worked at Capital Music, Wellington (1981-1985), self-employed (1985-1988), sole restorer for Classic Violins, Tonbridge (1991-1992), head of restoration at Sandra Wagstaff Violins, Hong Kong (1992-1996), Opened Alex W Grant Violins, Melbourne in 1996. Instruments made in Penshurst, Kent (c.1992) and Melbourne (from 1996).
GRAWERT, Helge Siegward (b.1937)
GRAWERT, Ilja Helge (b.1964) German Diploma of Violinmaking, 1986. Began his apprenticeship at 18 at Geigenbau Machold, Bremen, Germany (1982 - 1986). Started his own business in Germany before migrating to Brisbane in 1994.
GRAWERT, Olaf Jurgen (b.1967) Learned violin making from his father Helge Grawert. Further training at Geigenbau Machold in Germany (1990).
GRAY, R. F.
GREEN, Alfred Osborn (1851-1942) Made at least 2 violins at Fern Tree near Hobart, Tas.
GREENING, Frederick James (b.1920) Amateur violin maker, self-taught. Made 7 violins using Australian timbers.
GREIG, David (1880-1939) Taught violin making by his father, thought to have made 30 to 40 violins, Goulburn, NSW.
GRIFFIN, Guy Aubrey (1878-1967) Came to Australia in 1907 and made his first violin in 1915 with advice and assistance from A.E. Smith. He was eventually given repair work to do by Smith, who considered him one of the best violin makers in Australia. Made 173 violins, 5 violas and 1 cello, all sold through A.E. Smith & Co. Made his last instrument in 1955. (For more information and photographs of 2 examples see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
GRIFFIN, Samuel James (1878-1949)
GUEST, Barry Donald (b.1947) Carpenter and joiner, self-taught maker with early instruction from John G. Johnston. Began making in 1980 and has made 4 violins and 3 cellos to 2003. Has also made guitars and mandolins. Currently working on original geometry and design for the violin family of instruments.
GUSCOTT, David Charles (b.1952) Makers of "Quiet Electric Stringed Instruments". Began making in 2001 and now produce 4 and 5 string violins, violas, cellos, double basses, octave violins, chincellos and electric upright basses.
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HADFIELD, Colin David (b.1948) Amateur violin maker, Dapto, NSW.
HAHN, F. - Label written on timber. Also stamped F. Hahn on back near button.
HALL, John (Ben) Duncan (b.1935) Viol and cello maker, Newtown, NSW.
HALL, Martin Daniel (1896-1979)
HAMILTON, Maurice Arward (b.1914)
HANNON, Geoffrey David (b.1946) Maker and repairer, East Brunswick, Vic. Trained with John Ferwerda.
HARRISON, Guy Alexander (b.1971) Dip.NSVM. Began violin making in SA where he made 2 violins. Awarded a scholarship to study in England, then worked for two and a half years in Helsinki. Subsequently moved to Canada where he has established his own workshop. To 2004 had made 60 instruments, including violins, violas, cellos, double basses and viola da gambas.
HAYDEN, Leonard - Violin (3/4) dated 1923, Sydney.
HAYES, Harold Clemeth (1893-1971) Amateur maker of violins and bows using mostly Australian timbers. Began making in 1938.
HAYWARD, Theodore Thomas Francis (1900-1974) Participated in the British Empire Exhibitions, Wembley in 1925.
HEALY, Peter Alan (b.1954) Violin maker, Sydney.
HEAPS, Alfred Walter (1853-1906) Son of a Leeds maker, John Knowles Heaps, and pupil of Handel Pickard of Leeds where he worked until 1874. Came to Australia in 1876 to manage a music store, then worked as a violin maker and repairer in Sydney from 1885 to 1906. Worked at 466 Oxford St, Paddington. Sold mostly through Palings. (For more information see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
HEAPS, Christopher Knowles (1879-1944) Son of Alfred Walter Heaps. Worked at 2 Dine St, Randwick (1910-1915).
HEAPS, Christopher Spencer (1843-1916) Also called himself St. Heaps. Came to Australia in 1871. Probably worked with his brother, Alfred Walter Heaps. Awarded a prize at the Sydney International Exhibition in 1879 for violins and a cello, not known if these were made by him or other family members.
HECKENBERG, David Gavin (b.1974) Dip.NSVM (2002). Worked for Stefan Krattenmacher, London (2001-2002). Instruments made in Newark (1999-2002), London (2001-2002) and Brisbane (from 2002).
HENDERSON, Robert Edward (b.1921)
HERAUD, Thomas Caught (1865-1937)
HIBBERT, W. - Toowoomba, Qld. Violin c.1895 in Queensland Museum, h52432.
HIGGINBOTTOM, Bruce (?-1983) North Ryde and Neutral Bay, NSW. Made a number of violins, violas and cellos, and also several basses.
HILL, Archibald Somerville (1882-1969) Began making violins in Victoria aged 11. Also made bows. Later moved to the US where he continued violin and bow making in Seattle.
HILL, Tristan Eddington (1901-1990) Son of the composer Alfred Hill. Learned violin making and repairing with A.E. Smith (1918 - 1922), then established his own business in Melbourne in 1923 where he worked for a few years. Made 7 violins.
HO, Tricia (b.1983)
HOCKING, Kevin (b.1927) >/p>
HOCKNELL, Samuel Clee (1858-1907)
HODGSON, Arthur Ralph (1896-?) Amateur maker, Parramatta, NSW, c.1936
HOFMAN, Joseph (1888-1980) Amateur violin maker, self-taught. Made first violin at the age of 12 from galvanised iron. Made eight violins and one ukelele.
HOLLIDAY, William Meredith (1883-1964) Amateur violin maker with a particular interest in Australian timbers. Made at least 26 violins and 3 violas. First violin made in 1943, and the first from local timbers in 1955. Also made bows.
HOLT, Barry Grahame Lennox (b.1953) Son of Lance Holt, bow maker and restorer, initially worked in Queensland then Melbourne, Vic. Also worked for many years as professional db player. Awarded a Churchill Fellowship (1983) to study with John Clutterbuck, UK. Awarded a Certificate of Merit in VSA competition (1996). Early bows stamped B G HOLT, later used LENNOX HOLT.
HOLT, Lance Lars (b.1927) Violin maker and repairer, Qld.
HONEYCHURCH, Percy (1886-1958)
HOOPER, Joseph Arthur (1882-1962) Made several violins using Australian timbers.
HOPKINS, Livingston (Hop) York Yourtee (1846-1927) Cartoonist who came to Sydney from The USA in 1883 and worked at the Bulletin for 30 years. Amateur maker of violins and cellos, Mosman, NSW.
HOWARD, Brian Hedley (b.1934)
HOWES, Raymond Keith (b.1941) Architect and amateur maker. Began making in 1989 and has completed 3 violins, numerous violas and one alto (Hutchins 20" vertical viola).
HUME, Charles Darley (1865-1949) Worked initially at Manchester and with Bela Szepessy in Soho, London. First violin made in Liverpool, 1883. Came to Australia in 1889, settled in Hawthorn and began making again in 1897. Made about 59 violins, violas and cellos and also bows. Won several awards at various exhibitons. Played db with the MSO, 1920s.
HUMPHREY, John (1859-1937) Born in Scotland, came to Australia to work as an engineer, c.1890. William Paszek helped him obtain wood and gave advice on violin construction. Made at least 3 violins, 1929 tp 1932. (For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
HUMPHREYS, Adam John (b.1972) Influenced by John G. Johnston and Douglas Finlay. Instruments made in Sydney (from 1996) and Tasmania. Later changed name to Adam Edwards.
HUNGERFORD, Lyn Tauranga (b.1958) Initially trained with Harry Vatiliotis, then went to Cremona where she learned from various makers. Now retired from making.
HYATT, William Richard (1897-1992) Made one violin, Murdunna, Tas.
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INGRAM, Mathew
IRWIN, Allen Raymond (b.1960) Dip. and Higher National Dip. LGU (1983). Worked at Boosey & Hawkes, London (1983-1985) and Palings, Sydney (1985-1988). Opened A.R. Irwin Violins, Edgecliff in June, 1988. Made 8 violins and 2 mandolins.
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JACKSON, A. - Violin and cello maker, used Australian timbers. Worked in Launceston, Tas in the late 1800's.
JACKSON, Peter Albert (?-2008) Amateur violin maker, Lane Cove, NSW.
JAFFRAY, Thomas Baldwin (1863-1933) Amateur maker working in Lismore, NSW.
JAMES, Kenneth Roy (1922-1993) Maker and repairer at Taroona, Tas. Has made violins and cellos from both Australian and European woods.
JAMES, Stanley William (1820-1887) Amateur maker, Richmond (Melbourne), c.1880. Made violins using Amati model.
JEWELL, John Michael
JOHNSEN, Russell David (b.1950) Nedlands, WA.
JOHNSON, John Godschall (1912-2003) Early association with Tom Lewis. One of the early members of AAMIM and was a well known demonstrator of violin making at exhibitions throughout Australia. Awarded OAM (1991). Made 83 instruments, all inscribed with 'TIMBFGNBOS' indicating they can be given away but never sold.
JOHNSON, Stuart Charles - Amateur maker, Bairnsdale, Vic.
JOHNSON, William Blyth (b.1928) Retired architect, double bass player and teacher. Began violin making and repairing in 1973, also made a harpsichord and guitar. Attended a course with Ian Clarke (1983) and has worked from Bendigo since 1989. Specialises in 1/10 size double basses.
JOHNSON, William John (1834-1920) South Yarra,Vic c. 1907. A 1908 violin is guitar-shaped with cedar back and sides.
JOHNSTON, John David (b.1948) Dip.NSVM (1980). Worked with W.E. Hill & Sons (1980) and with Hamilton Caswell in Bristol (1981). Set up his workshop in Rozelle in 1982. Has made over 100 instruments.
JOHNSTONE, John William Henry (1910-1979) Made violins, violas, cellos and other bowed string instruments including a cywth. Used a variety of woods, including Australian.
JONES, Hugh (b.1946?) Richmond, Vic
JONES, Kenneth Lancelot (1911-1995) Mt.Lawley, WA.
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KELLIE, William Cameron (1884-1964) Arrived in Melbourne from Scotland in 1912. Had been making bagpipes since a boy, and completed his first violin in 1915. Made around 50 violins, and 6 violas, the last in 1961. Named all his instruments after Scottish cathedrals or abbeys.
KEMP, Peter Richard B- risbane, early 1960s.
KINNEMAN, Ernest (c.1838-1912) Sydney, 1880 to 1904.
KIRK, John Thomas Osmond (b.1935) Amateur violin and viol maker, Aranda, ACT.
KIRKPATRICK, Vanessa Karin (b.1972) Amateur maker, NSW. Assisted by Beardsmore and Coggins. Made 1 violin.
KNOWLES, Robinson (1862-?) Worked at 11 Rowe St, Sydney from 1914 to 1915. Possibly also at 7 Hercules St, Dulwich Hill in 1927.
KNOX, Archibald Robert Stephen (b.1928) Violin maker, Wyoming, NSW. Initial guidance from journals of VMABC, with later assistance from Vatiliotis and Cedric Clarke. First instrument made in 1983 and to 2004 had made 12 violins, 5 violas and 8 cellos, mostly from European timbers.
KOLSCH, Ivan Otto (1914-1965) Started working for A.E. Smith in 1928. Made first violin in 1930 and a viola in 1932. Set up business on his own in the early 30's at 23 Hamilton St, Sydney. Last violin made in 1951 and he produced a total of 3 violins, 1 viola, 10 vn bows, 2 va bows and 2 bass bows.
KOUTSKY, Miroslav (b.1934) Amateur maker, assisted by Beardsmore and Coggins. Made 1 violin.
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LAMBERT, Barry Norman (b.1933) Amateur maker, St.Ives, NSW. Learned from Harry Vatiliotis and has made at least 6 violins.
LANE, Harold Palmer (1891-1975) Maker of cellos and double basses, Lindisfarne, Tas.
LANSDOWN, Herbert Edwin (1869-1952) Violin made in Lismore, NSW, 1935. Also a bass made in Croydon, NSW.
LATHAM, Percy (1893-1971) Piano tuner and violinist. Made a number of violins 1940 to 1960.
LAWSON, Peter (Bert) James (1873-1944)
LEHMANN, Wilfred Edwin (b.1936) Violinist and conductor, made a violin assisted by David Glanville.
LEMIN, Brian Fernley (b.1936) Greenbank, Qld.
LESTER, Alfred Edward (c.1876-1944)
LETHBRIDGE, Thomas Melnough (1909-1983) Apprenticed to John Yakimoff in Sydney. Only made one violin, concentrating mostly on repair work. Also worked as a violinist. Opened a shop in Ann St, Brisbane (1970's) dealing and repairing for a few years.
LEWIS, Henry Francis (1863-1925) Originally possibly worked with John Devereux in Melbourne. Worked as a violin maker in Sydney from 1862. Worked at 16 Ash St, Sydney from 1919 to 1924. Exhibited two violins in Melbourne Exhibition, 1888/89, one made from Australian blackwood.
LEWIS, Thomas Hubert (b.1927) Trained with A.E. Smith. Worked for a time in Adelaide then moved to Riversdale Rd, Hawthorn, Vic in the early 1970's.
LIDGETT, David Alan - Violin and viola maker, Salisbury East, SA.
LINSLEY, William Joseph (1898-1956) Corrimal, NSW, c.1940.
LIPPLE, Thomas Stanley (1920-1999) Bull Creek, WA.
LIVERSIDGE, Trevor (b.1949) Trained with Harry Vatiliotis.
LLEWELLYN, Dafydd John (b.1942) Grandson of A.E. Smith, learned violin making from him in the mid 1950's and made 2 violins at that time. Later resumed making and worked at Leppington, NSW from 1975 where he made 3 violins and a viola.
LLOYD, Cecil Lee Tyndale (1907-?) Amateur maker, Warwick, Qld. Friend of Thurlow, made several violins and a viola.
LO SCHIAVO, Antonius Petrus - Listed as a violin maker at 100 Phillip St, Sydney in 1926 and a violin by this maker featured in a 1932 A.E. Smith catalogue.
LOUGHTON, John (Jack) Anselm (b.1918) Woodworker, french polisher and self-taught violin maker, WA. Made around 10 violins from 1995 to 2003, using various woods. Label handwritten with name, locality and woods used.
LOWE, William (1899-1966) Amateur maker. First violin made in 1949. Made 20 violins to 1964. One violin donated to the Newcastle Conservatorium.
LUKEY, Alan Leslie (b.1949) Sunshine, Vic.
LYKKE, Christen Nielsen (c.1851-1946) Cabinet maker who made at least one violin. Father of Henry Lykke.
LYKKE, Henry Christen Nielsen (1882-1972) Possible ppil of William Paszek. Made just under 100 violins, most of which were sold through A.E. Smith & Co. (For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
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McANALLY, Henry J. - Violin labelled Waterloo, Sydney, 1899. Also listed as working at 7 Junction St, Woollahra, NSW in 1926.
McCARTHY, Paul Joseph (b.1963) Made one violin with James Robinson.
MacFARLANE, Ernest - Violin made 1939 or 1959.
McGEE, Eric James (b.1931) Made 3 violins, with advice from Roger Buckmaster.
McGEORGE, Graham J. (b.1977) Amateur maker, Gisborne, Vic. Made one cello under the guidance of John Ferwerda.
McKEE, Leonard George (1894-1967) Amateur maker, 1965 (va).
MacKENZIE, Malcolm Andrew (1971-2004) Amateur maker, assisted by Beardsmore and Coggins. Made 1 violin.
McLAREN, Imlay (1839-1917) Amateur maker, living in the Clarence River area. Made at least 13 violins and 1 cello, using Australian timbers.
McLEAN, Bernard Anthony (b.1968)
MacLEAN, Iain James Neal (b.1935)
McLENNAN, John Ewan (b.1925) Self-taught violin maker since 1980. Also researched and published widely on violin acoustics and varnish. To 2003 had made 2 violins and 2 violas.
McMAHON, James Thomas (c.1871-1950)
MacPHEE, Alexander (b.1930) Amateur maker, Doncaster East, Vic.
McVEAN, Edward (b.1931) Made 5 violins, 1 viola & 1 bow since 1990. Main influence from Harry Wake publications. Labelled with Edward McVean, Dundee Fiddler and/or Edinburgh Fiddler, with musical notes and sketch of kilted fiddler (also numbered and dated).
MAINWARING, Edward
MANBY, Charles Evelyn Creasey Jensen (1870-1944) Founded the Manby Violin Company and sold European factory instruments modified with a patented incised fingerboard and sometimes machine heads in place of pegs. Melbourne 1913 to 1930's. Also listed at George St, Sydney in 1920s.
MARSCHALL, Karl (c.1959-1928)
MARTIN, Horatio Ernest (1870-1921) Violin, viola, cello and bass maker in Sydney. Came to Australia from England. Violin No. 136 is dated 14/7/1908. Label written on wood and H.E. MARTIN also stamped on back below button.
MARTYN, Trevor Gregory
MATHEW, Daniel Dering (c.1785-1856) Free settler who came to Australia in 1812. Engineer, architect, geologist and owner of a saw mill. Sent a violin he had made from Australian wood to the Colonial Secretary in 1823.
MAURUSHAT, Michael (b.1967) Bow maker from Canada.
MEADOWS, Robert (b.1948) Dip.LGU. Maker of violins, viols and hurdy-gurdies.
MEIER, Ernest (1903-1990) Brisbane, 1970's. Made 3 cellos.
MEINEKIE, Rudolph Arthur Karl Adolph Paul (c.1885-c.1991) Maryborough, Qld.
MERTENS, Samuel Moritz (b.1980) Amateur maker, assisted by Beardsmore and Coggins. Made 1 violin.
MICKLESON M. J. - Violin dated December, 1928.
MIDDLETON, J. - Maker from South Gippsland, Vic. Exhibited in Melbourne Exhibition, 1888/89 with a violin made from native orangewood.
MIERS, Joseph Thomas (1867-1954) Violin labelled Joseph Miers, Adelaide, South Australia, No.7 1905. Also violin made 1910.
MILLER, Frederick Albert (b.1916) Nambucca Heads, NSW. Mostly self-taught violin maker with some assistance from A.E. Smith.
MILLER, Norman Henry (1911-2005) Self-taught, began making in 1956.
MITCHELL, Charles Robert (c.1870-1931)
MOLE, Raymond Noel (b.1945)
MOLLISON, Stanley Edwin (1902-1976) Made 10 violins and 1 viola in Melbourne.
MOYES, Robin Andrew (b.1953) Maker of violins and plucked string instruments, North Nowra, NSW.
MURPHY, Patrick - Label in violin noted by William Dolphin: "Repaired by Patrick Murphy, Harp, Serpent and Violin Maker, Clarence St, Sydney, 1817".
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NAIRN, Frank William (b.1923)
NASH, J. G.
NELSON, Horace (1861-1934) Moonambel, Vic. Exhibited a violin made of Australian timber at Melbourne Exhibition, 1888/89, with back made from about 50 pieces of wood, mostly Australian.
NEMETH, Johannes (John) (1913-1985) Served apprenticeship in Budapest and awarded the Master Violin Makers' Golden Diploma in Budapest (1939). First violin made 1937. Came to Australia from Vienna in 1957. Worked in Sydney in the late 1950s then appointed repairer to Davis' Musical Instrument House in Russell St, Melbourne in 1960. Left to open his own shop in 1966, the Hawthorn Music Centre in Burwood Road, Hawthorn, which he operated for two years. Returned to Europe in 1968 whne he was offered a position with HUG, the largest music house in Switzerland. To 1968 had made 166 violins, 14 violas, 14 cellos and 8 double basses.
NEUMANN, Friedrich Wilhelm Hermann (1861-1934) German immigrant who came to Australia in 1884. Amateur violin maker. Won Certificate of Merit at the Brisbane Royal Show, 1928. Violin on exhibit at Das Neumann Haus Museum 2000-001 (1920 - 1925)
NEWHAM, Edmond Joseph (1878-1941) Worked at 212 William St, Sydney from 1930 to 1933. Worked at A. E. Smith's for a short time around 1926 where he made a cello.
NEWTON, Rupert Ivo (1894-1974)
NICHOLLS, Glen Edward Frank (b.1962)
NICOLL, F. - Listed in an exhibition catalogue from Farmer's Blaxland Galleries (1938).
NIELSEN, Anders (1854-1926) Worked at 159 Cecily St, Leichhardt from 1918 to 1927. Used Tasmanian timbers and sold through Max Mircher Pty Ltd of Sydney.(For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
NOLAN-FORDHAM, Warren J. (b.1958) Self-taught maker with help and encouragement from Kevin Williams, Richard Arter and William Kellie. Uses Australian timbers exclusively. Worked at Montsalvat, Eltham, Vic until 1989 then moved to Tasmania.
NORRIS, Edgar Lewin (1891-1956) Amateur maker in Toowoomba, Qld. Made 2 violins, one a copy of the 'Messiah'.
NORTON, David Michael (b.1943) Trained at LGU. Port Kembla, NSW.
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OCTIGAN, Roderick Timothy (b.1954) Grandson of William Octigan, made a violin in 2008.
OCTIGAN, William Timothy (1879-1952) Learned some violin making with W.H. Dow. Exhibited a guitar at the Wembley Exhibition 1924/25 and was awarded a bronze medal. Manager of violin department, Allans, Melbourne. First violin made in 1923.
O'GRADY, Henry Thornton (1900-1975) Amateur maker, producing about one a year.
OHLSEN, Malcolm Roy
OLDHAM, Wilfred Hugh (b.1924) Amateur violin maker, Curtin, ACT. Made at least 4 violins and 5 violas.
OLIVER, Nelson Hardy (1885-1955) Made first violin in 1917 and first viola in 1919. Made at least 9 violas. Worked in Melbourne, completing a string quartet from same wood in 1945. (For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
OTTENSEN, Michael (c.1860-1940)
OZTURK, Andre Seref (b.1982)
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PANTING, Richard James (b.1946) Violin maker, Vic.
PARKES, John Amateur maker, Roseville, NSW. Thought to have made 2 violins and 1 viola.
PASZEK, Gerard William (1888-1956) Studied violin making with his father Johann Paszek, Borianova, Poland. Migrated to Australia in 1912 and moved to Sydney in 1914. Worked for A.E. Smith for 4 years then briefly in partnership with Eli Bannister before establishing his own workshop. Thought to have made about 30 instruments - violins and one cello. (For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
PATTERSON, William Alexander (1879-1961) Amateur maker in Brisbane, Qld. Started making in 1953, used Qld timbers.
PATTON, Arthur Herbert Dunlop (1908-1970) Worked for A.E. Smith from 1923 to 1940 in the sales department, then had his own business as violin maker and repairer at Market St, Sydney from 1940 to 1952. Made about 10 violins and a viola between 1931 and 1949.
PAXEVANOS, Georgios (George) (b.1935) Violin maker, Mooloolaba, Qld.
PEACOCK, John - Elgin St, Carlton, Melbourne. Exhibited in Melbourne Exhibition, 1888/89.
PELCHEN, George Stanley (1915-2002) Hamilton, Vic. Started making in 1931 and has made 20 violins, 4 violas and 2 cellos.
PEMBERTON, Percy Granville (1868-1940) Thought to have worked in Port Melbourne, Vic around 1900.
PENGILLEY, Mark - Dip.NSVM (1984). First instrument (va) made 1980. Established in Abbotsford, Vic in 1990.
PEREZ-PULIDO, Maria Dolores (b.1964)
PERRY, James (1898-1971)
PETERS, George Charles Sidney (1905-1986) Violin maker and repairer. Trained in England with George W. Hudson, Chessington, Surrey around 1942. Worked in Sydney with Arthur Patton.
PETHER, Henry John (1868-1933) Violin and viola maker in WA.
PETROFF, Leon (b.1958) Studied violin making in Lvov and Moscow (1979-1986) with further studies in Cremona (1996-1997). Moved to Australia in 1990 and opened his first studio in Melbourne in 1994. To 2003 has made over 40 instruments (va, va & vc).
PETSCHEL, Ronald Theodore (1917-1983)
PETTINGILL, Charles Richard (1887-1959) Amateur violin maker, Port Fairy, Vic. Made about 12 violins.
PHILLIPS, Cyril Arthur (1906-2000) Amateur maker, Freemantle, WA. Mainly self-taught with some assistance from William Pougnault. Made at least 9 instruments.
PHILLIPS, James - Violin listed in 1932 catalogue from A.E. Smith & Co. Worked in Sydney late 1800s.
PIDCOCK, Thomas George (1866-1948) Violin maker in Grafton, NSW.
PIDDINGTON, Edward Francis (c.1858-1923) Exhibited a violin in the Intercolonial Juvenile Industrial Exhibition, Melbourne, 1879/80.
PORTEGIES, Theodorus (Ted) (1927-c.2004) Amateur violin maker, Orange, NSW.
POUGNAULT, William Desire Lucien (1910-1994) Self-taught maker in WA. Made at last 9 violins.
PRICE, W. D. - Amateur maker, label noted in double bass.
PROCTOR, Robert - Began making bows in Brisbane under guidance of Lennox Holt. Moved to Perth for a number of years before moving to USA.
PUGLISI, Benedict Gerard (b.1965) Began making in 1988 and to 2004 had made 8 double basses and 2 violins.
PULLEN, Erastus (1868-1937) Won the Harmony Trophy in an amateur violin making competition in 1934.
PYE, Arthur (1906-1971) Worked as a maker in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England (1936-1949) and in Newcastle, NSW (from 1946?). Made 6 violins, 1 cello and 1 double bass.
PYE, Jim (b.1936) Learned from his father, Arthur Pye, and also John G. Johnston. Made at least 4 violins and 4 violas.
PYMBLE, Frederick William (1893-1969) Thought to have made 2 cellos with inlaid backs.
PYMBLE, Roy Franklin (1896-1974) Self-taught, made 1 violin.
PYMBLE, William Henry (1861-1950) Made 1 violin with carved back.
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RABINOVITCH, Solomon (1851-1912) Born in Russia, trained in Germany and France. Migrated to Australia in 1880 and lived in Melbourne until c.1889. Moved to Sydney and worked there until c.1898, then returned to Melbourne. Produced about 200 instruments.
RADFORD, Christopher John (b.1915) Self-taught amateur maker, Adelaide, SA. Began making in the 1950s and to 2003 had made 6 violins and some guitars. Labelled with name and year.
RADLEY, Dunstan Anthony (1907-1989) Amateur maker, Petersham, NSW. Assisted by Syd Vyse.
RALPH, Alexander George (b.1930) Retired engineer, self-taught amateur maker. Made 2 violins and a viola to 2002.
RAULIN, Rene (b.1964) Born in Stuttgart, Germany and immigrated to Australia when he was eleven. Trained for 3 years with Warren Nolan-Fordham at Montsalvat (1990-1993) and later with Oscar Kappelmeyer in Passau, Germany. Now makes and restores string instruments with a particular interest in Baroque violins. Has done extensive research on Australian timbers and prefers to work with these woods where possible.
REKSTEN, Jan (b.1947) Amateur maker, Canberra, ACT. Began making in 1994 with initial instruction from Vladimir Doitschinov. Made 2 violins to 2003.
RHODES, Henry (1876-1961) Self-taught amateur maker, Sydney. Made at least two violins, one c.1895.
RICHARDS, Keith Thomas (b.1934) Grandson of Thomas Richards. Mechanic who lives in Moree, NSW, started violin making in 2002 when he retired. Has made 13 violins (5 were lost in a house fire). Main assistance from Harry Vatiliotis.
RICHARDS, Thomas (1866-1963) Farmer who made violins as a hobby at Camp Mountain, Samford, Qld. Used mostly Australian timbers, occasionally traditional wood. Made at least 119 violins, 5 violas. 1 half-size cello and 40 bows.
RICHARDSON, George Stanley (c.1895-1967) Amateur maker, living in Ballarat in 1924. Used Australian and European timbers following construction methods of W.J. Farrell.
ROBERTS, Arnold Freer (1903-1960) Amateur maker in Brisbane, Qld. Made about 7 violins and 1 viola, the last in 1959. Exhibited at the Queensland Industries Fair, gained awards in 1956 and 1959.
ROBERTSON, David Charles (b.1977)
ROBERTSON, John Holland (1842-1909) Amateur maker working at Calperum, near Gawler, SA. Thought to have made around 133 violins, and at least one viola, dated 1904.
ROBINSON, Arthur Terence (b.1936) Began making and repairing violins in Victoria, 1975. Moved to WA in 1991.
ROBINSON, Edwin John (1878-1955) Amateur violin maker, Lindfield, NSW. Listed in an exhibition catalogue from Farmer's Blaxland Galleries (1938).
ROBINSON, James William (b.1948) Dip.IPIALL (1973), Cert.Classic Guitar Making, ASL (2000). Worked at Ealing Strings (London), Paul Schuback Violins (Portland), Jacques Francais Violins (NY), Kanda & Co (Tokyo), Johnson String Instruments (Boston) and Animato Violins (Brisbane). Awards at International Violin Making Competition, Newark (1st place for vc in 1978, 1st place for va in 1978, 2nd place for vn in 1975). Instruments made in Cremona (1971-1973), London (1974-1978), Portland (1977 - 1979), New York (1979-1981), Tokyo (1981-1983), Singapore (1983-1986), Honolulu (1986-1991), Sydney (1991-1994), Cairns (1995-2000), Boston (2000) and Brisbane (2000-2004). Moved to Singapore in 2004, then returned to Adelaide in 2006.
ROBINSON, Shauna Lee (b.1983)
ROBINSON, Timothy John (b.1958) Amateur violin maker in Sydney, NSW. To 2004 had made 1 violin from Canadian maple and Sitka spruce.
ROCCISANO, Dante Antonio (b.1949)
RONIS - Amateur maker who made at least one violin and one viola. Violin made from Australian timbers with "Ronis" handwritten on inside back. Viola similar, with hand written label.
ROSE, James - Made many instruments from Australian woods.
ROTHAMMER, Carl (1881-1958) Gained experience in Austria, Hungary, Germany, Holland and America. Successfully established at Cleveland, Omaha, Los Angeles, Portland & Sydney. Worked in partnership with A.E. Smith at 335a George St, Sydney around 1913. Died in Los Angeles.
ROWE, Malcolm Francis (b.1951) Violin maker from Loxton, South Australia, who learned from Rex Thompson.
ROY, Joseph (1880-1964)
RUSSELL, Thomas (1901-?) Pupil of A.E. Smith and employed by him, mainly for bow repairs. Made about 4 violins.
RYDER, John Robert Neill (b.1914) Photo in War Memorial from 1945 showing a brigadeer examining a violin made by Sergeant J.R. Ryder.
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SAMPSON, Herbert Stanley (1891-1955) Worked for British makers and dealers until 1908 and made first instrument in that year. Arrived in Melbourne 1909. Worked for A.E. Smith in Melbourne before opening his own workshop. 30 violins made up to 1924. Worked at 115 Elizabeth St, Melbourne in 1930's as violin maker, repairer and importer. (For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
SAMPSON, Stanley Galba (b.1925) Son of H.S. Sampson. Worked with father in his business.
SAUNDERS, Henry Charles Pearson (1901-1990) Made at least 7 violins and 2 violas, the first violin in 1960 and a viola in 1962. Used plans given to him by A.E.Smith.
SAVINI, Bruno (b.1931) Amateur maker, Dapto, NSW.
SAWTELL, Alfred Edwin (1842-1902)
SAWTELL, Frederick Edward (1881-1943) SA maker. Made his first violin c.1928 and produced around 9 violins.
SAYERS, David (b.1965) Violin maker, trained with John Ferwerda.
SAYWER, Franklin Thomas (c.1917-1999) Amateur violin and viola maker.
SCHAHINGER, Ronald Rudolph (1913-1990) Amateur maker in SA, trained as a cellist and played with ASO. Later worked as a cooper. Made first violin in the early 1920s in SA. Went to Sydney in the 1940s and gained some advice from Syd Vyse and A.E. Smith. Made 4 violins, 1 viola and at least 14 cellos (one viola da gamba). Used all European timbers except Australian wood for his last cello, dated 1989.
SCHUSTER, Martin (b.1964) Dip.NSVM (1988). Worked for Contrada Musica, Amersfoort, The Netherlands (1989-1991); Peter Koerner, Mainz, Germany (1992-1996); Gerriet Groth, Wiesbaden, Germany (1996-2001). Established a violin making and restoration workshop in Melbourne, Australia (2001 to present). Instruments made in Newark (1985-1989), Amersfoort (1989-1991), Duesseldorf (1991), Wiesbaden (1991-2001), Melbourne (from 2001).
SCIDA, Mario (b.1956) Violin maker and repairer, working as Auburn Strings, Melbourne. Currently specialising in making cellos, violas and violins. Also has made electric stick cellos and basses.
SCOTT, Lance Geoffrey (b.1948) Established Lance Scott Violins in Brisbane in 1980. Now working as a violin maker from his private residence. To 2004 had made more than 50 violins, 20 violas and 10 cellos.
SCOULAR, David (1872-1955) Came to Australia around 1880. Self-taught violin maker and friend of Charles Clarke and A.E. Smith. Made at least 3 violins and a viola, c.1930.
SCULLETT-DEAN, Kenneth (b.1943) Amateur maker wortking in Qld. Began making in 1989 and has produced 3 vns, 1 va and 1 vc.
SERES, Mark Alwin (b.1954) Amateur maker, assisted by Beardsmore and Coggins. Made 1 viola.
SHEPARD, Donald Eric (1025-1998)
SHRIMPTON, Thomas James (1850-1933) Worked at Upper Autumn St, West Geelong, Vic. Exhibited in Melbourne Exhibition, 1888/89. Violin dated 1888 and cello dated 1910.
SHROSBREE, Henry James (1858-1908) Began working in Adelaide around 1894, first as a violin teacher, then as violin maker and repairer. Worked at 58 Rundle St, Adelaide from 1899 to 1908. Medallist at the Century Exhibition, Adelaide 1900.
SIMMERS, John William Keith (b.1968) Dip.Music (va) Qld Con. (1988), Dip.NSVM with distinction (1996). Worked at Morris & Smith, London (1995), with Frank Passa, San Francisco (1996-1997) and at J & Beare, London (1998). Instruments made in Newark (1994-1996), San Francisco (1996-1997) and Brisbane (from 1997). Baroque violin in the Royal Academy of Music, London.
SINNETT, Thomas George (1879-1947) Worked at 819 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville (1913-1915).
SLEATH, Alfred Henry (1868-1942) Learned violin making initially from his father and then at W.E. Hill and Sons, London. Made about 60 violins, 1 viola, 2 cellos and bows.
SLEATH, Henry Walter (1828-1918) Established a music business at 456 George St, Brisbane around 1866. Not known if he made violins, though probably did repairs and is reported to have trained his son, Alfred.
SLEATH, Howard Fortnam (1899-1984) Son and pupil of A.H. Sleath, beginning work about 1913 and made his first violin in 1917. Assisted by Alfred Hill. Made 63 violins, 5 violas, a tenor gamba and also bows. Almost all violins modelled on Guarneri del Gesu.
SMALL, Frederick (1898-1973) First violin made in England, 1913. Made 3 violins and also guitars.
SMEDES, Jamin - Trained and employed by John Ferwerda, Melbourne.
SMITH, Arthur Edward (1880-1978) The most influential figure in the history of Australian violin making. Worked for Jeffreys & Sons at Maldon, Essex for four years and produced about 20 violins. Came to Melbourne in 1909 and worked there for a few years, then visited San Franscisco before returning to Sydney around 1913 where he formed A.E. Smith & Co. Made about 170 violins, 40 violas and 3 cellos. Awarded MBE 1971. (For over 12 pages of information and 10 photographed examples see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
SMITH, James Jose (c.1856-1938)
SMITH, Kate Denereaz (Kitty) (1912-2005) Learned violin making from her father, A.E. Smith. Began working at A.E. Smith & Co. in the 1930s. Moved to PNG late 1930s and returned to Smith's in 1941. Became managing director of the company in early 1960s until its closure in 1972. First violin was made when she was 16 and has made about 40 instruments. Awarded a diploma at the International Exhibition of Violin Makers at The Hague in 1949. (For more information and photographs of 2 examples see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
SMITH, Philip Neale (b.1970) Worked for John Ferwerda in Melbourne for 3 years, with further experience at Samuel Kolstein and Son, New York. Has now established a shop, 'Philip Smith Luthier', at Launceston in Tasmania and has made violins, violas, cellos and a double bass, mostly using traditional timbers but has also used Tasmanian woods.
SMITH, Roderick Fraser (b.1938) Son of Kitty Smith. Began his career at A.E. Smith & Co. in 1955. Left in 1972 to start his own shop in Adelaide, returning to Sydney in 1984. Moved to Brisbane in 1988.
SMITH-VENABLES, Belinda (b.1967) Daughter of Rod Smith. Has made 2 violins but is no longer involved in the violin business.
SMYTHE, Ronald Leslie (b.1935) Violin and viola maker, self-taught with some instruction from Ian Clarke.
SNOWDEN, Michael (b.1964) Dip.NSVM (1994). Worked with Glenn Collins, Newark (1994-1996) then independently in London (1996-2002) and Adelaide (from 2002). Instruments sold through J.P. Guivier, Mortimer St, London since 1994.
SOLTES, Stephen - Amateur maker, Rocky Cape, Tas. Made 2 violins using Tasmanian timbers.
SOUTER, Charles Henry (1864-1944) Migrated to Australia from Scotland in 1879 and worked as a doctor in SA from 1906 to 1944. Contributed ballads, shanties and poems to The Bulletin. Violin label noted from 1895
SOUTH, J. J. - Label noted in a cello, Bendigo, No 2 1914.
SPEER, Thomas (?-1985) Bridgetown, WA.
SPENCER, Alfred James (1902-1971) Mornington, Vic. 1961
STASINOPOULOS, George (b.1967)
STEEDMAN, John - Violin maker, Hobart, Tas.
STEFEN, Roland (b.1949) Roland Stefen has been handcrafting violins, violas, cellos and gypsy jazz guitars from imported timbers since 2003 and is currently based in Wollongong, NSW. His violins are mainly made on Stradivari or Guarneri models and he also repairs instruments and bows. Guitars are made in the Selmer Maccaferri or Favino styles. All instruments are made and set up solely by Roland.
STEVENS, Dale Ernest
STEVENSON, James Alexander (1857-1918) Worked at 53 Upper Avenue Rd, Mosman (1909-1918).
STRAHLE, David George (c.1927-1980) Self-taught maker of viol family instruments.
STRANGWARD, Frederick Edwin (1863-1944) Worked at Canterbury Rd, Albert Park, Melbourne. Exhibited 2 violins of Australian timbers in Melbourne Exhibition, 1888/89.
STUBBS, William James (1876-1965) Amateur violin maker, friend of William Paszek. Made around 100 violins, 4 violas and 8 cellos. Also made bows.
SUNMAN, William George (b.1917) Violin maker, Myaree, WA.
SUTHERLAND, Donald - Worked in Melbourne, 1925. Several violins and cellos, made of Australian wood.
SUTHERLAND, George (1877-1950) Violin maker, St. Kilda, Melbourne.
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TAIT, Andrew Alan (b.1957) Double bass player with WASO. To 2006 had made 2 double basses with assistance from Arthur Robinson, Harry Vatiliotis and Roger Dawson (London).
TAUNTON, Anthony Carlton (b.1948) Nowra, NSW.
TAUNTON, John Robert (b.1941)
TAYLER, John Sinclair (1861-1943) Worked with A. E. Smith for a time in the 1920s, mainly responsible for bow rehairs and repairs. Made 2 violins under Smith's guidance.
TAYLOR, Barry - Maker in Bensville, NSW. To 2006 has made 6 solid body electric violins, 1 solid body cello, 1 acoustic/electric violin and 1 cornerless 1/2 size acoustic violin.
TAYLOR, James (1846-1917) Professional photographer and amateur violin maker. Born in Scotland, came to South Australia in 1864. Worked in Gawler, Port Augusta (1885-1903) then Adelaide (from 1904). Awarded prize at Manufacturers Exhibition in 1895.
TERRETT, Albert Arthur (1863-1934) A professional musician who made at least 2 violins as well as other instruments, Annandale, NSW.
THAIN, John (1876-1934) Violin labelled J Thain Findon S.A. No 35 1903.
THEODORIDIS, Theodota - see WILLIAMS, Theodota.
THOMAS, Michael Robert (b.1944)
THOMAS, Peter Allan (b.1940) Amateur maker, Hazelbrook, NSW. Assisted by Beardsmore and Coggins. Made 1 violin.
THOMAS, Ronald Keith (b.1939)
THOMPSON, Laurence Henry (1880-1959) Ships carpenter, born in Scotland and settled in Australia in 1912. Made first violin at sea in 1906 and estimated to have produced around 60 instruments.
THOMPSON, Rex Palmerstone (1926-2007) Amateur violin maker who has done extensive research into violin varnish, Hazelwood Park, SA.
THORNE, George Francis (1894-1933) Tasmanian violin maker who made at least 24 violins and one viola. Used Australian timber and exhibited at the Wembley Exhibition in 1924/25.
THORNE, William (1894-1983) Came to Australia in 1913, and began making violins in 1914. Worked in Newcastle, NSW from 1951.
THURLOW, Alfred John (1884-1969) One of Brisbane's prominent business identities. Made his first violin in 1942 under tuition of Howard F. Sleath and to 1965 had made 34 violins and 3 violas. Each instrument numbered at endpin. Awarded trophies at the Qld Industries Fair in 1955, 1959 and 1962. Mostly used traditional timbers but a few have some Queensland woods. Also may have applied the principles of violin making advocated by W. Farrell.
TICKLE, David Sutherland (1870-1942) Listed as violin maker at 178 Hunter St, Newcastle, NSW in 1926.
TREGELLAS, Thomas Henry (1864 - 1938) Worked at Lower Huntly, Sandhurst, Vic. Blacksmith who made tin violins in his spare time. Exhibited in Melbourne Exhibition, 1888/89.
TOMASULO, Anthony Pompei
TRIFFETT, Gordon Tasman (1895-1983) Made his first instrument in 1959 and to 1964 had produced 7 violins, 2 violas, 1 cello and 2 bow sticks in Hobart, Tas. Mostly used Australian wood.
TRINKLE, Paul David (b.1977)
TUCKER, Matthew John (b.1961) Double bass maker, Sydney, NSW. Mostly self taught with some help from other makers via internet. Made an electric upright bass in 2005 and completed first double bass in June 2007 using Australian timbers and Western Red Cedar top and bracing.
TUMETH, Lachlan (b.1982) Maker and restorer of double basses and cellos. Studied with Neville Whitehead in Sydney (2004-2008). Now working in the Northern Illawarra area of NSW.
TWIDLE, Christopher Ian (b.1950)
TYRRELL, Frank Charles (1872-1963) Melbourne amateur maker and collector.
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VAISEY, Mervyn Andrew (1910-1965) Self-taught maker, violin dated 1943.
VAN DEN BRAAK, Guus (b.1953)
VAN HEMERT, Kees (b.1956) Began making bows in Perth, initially training there with dutch maker Matthijs de Jong (1988-1989). Worked in Perth until 1994, producing around 100 bows. Employed as bowmaker for Boumans in The Hague (1994-1996). Now established his own business in The Hague where he makes historical and modern bows.
VAN WIRDUM, John Anthony (b.1939) Assisted mainly by Phillip Burgess and Graham Caldersmith. First instrument made 1982 and to 2004 had made 153 instruments - 55 violins, 87 violas and 11 cellos. Labelled with: John Van Wirdum, Australia, anno (year) and (number). Worked in Newcastle for 4 years, then started a stringed instrument shop, Vivaldi's, in Epping, NSW (2001 to present).
VATILIOTIS, Charalambos Andrea (Harry) (b.1936) Apprenticed to A.E. Smith in 1953 and worked there for about 7 years between 1953 and 1965. Australia's most prolific maker.
VENABLES, Robin Alexander (b.1952) Began making violins in the UK in 1979 with help and tuition from Ian Clarke, Paul Bickle and Brian Parkinson. Worked in England for 5 years, making modern and baroque instruments. Since returning to Australia has combined violin making with acoustic research.
VIZARD, Richard James (b.1935) Amateur maker, Brighton, Vic.
VRETOS, Spiros (b.1927) Amateur maker, Greenacre, NSW.
VYSE, Sidney George (1914-1974) Began working with A. E. Smith in 1928 and remained there until 1964. Subsequently set up in Coogee as a restorer and dealer. (For more information and photographs of an example see Violin and Bow Makers of Australia)
VYSTRCIL, Charles (1912-1973) Semi-professional maker in Brisbane. Learned violin making in Czechoslovakia from Ladislas Herclik and made 26 instruments before coming to Australia in 1949. To 1965 had made 7 violins, 3 violas, 1 viola d'amore and 10 guitars in Australia. Migrated to the US around 1966.
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WADSWORTH, Alexander Herbert (1896-1983)
WALTON, David Barclay (b.1931) Pupil of H. Sleath.
WARD, John Edward (1891-1973) Began making in 1924. Made 20 violins, 4 violas and 1 cello.
WARD, Robert Trumbull (c.1833-1906) Hawthorn, Vic, Australia, 1898.
WATCHORN, Ian Donald (b.1955) Began making and repairing in Sydney (1976) before moving to Canberra (1979). Studied instrument conservation at Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nurnberg, Germany (1982-1984) with Friedemann Hellwig and John Henry van der Meer. Subsequently employed at the museum as a conservator (1984-1987). Worked at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney as conservator and curator (1987-1990). From 1990 has worked privately as a maker, conservator and consultant in Melbourne.
WATERS, Ezekiel John (1880-1938) Worked in Yarramalong, NSW and made violins as a hobby. Said to have made a large number using both Australian and imported timbers.
WATSON, A. J. - Amateur maker, Melbourne.
WATTERSON, Leonard (1912-1981)
WEDDELL, Bruce
WELSTEAD, Cedric George Francis Theodore (1913-1992) Amateur violin and viola maker. Made 9 violins to 1964.
WESSELS, Johannes (John) Wilhelmus (b.1921) Self-taught maker, West Wollongong, NSW.
WHATSON, Cyril Ross (b.1928)
WHEAL, Matthew (b.1970) Began making violins with Dante Roccisano in 2005. Labelled inside with Matthew Wheal, Adelaide and Date (month/year), also a label on neck block listing timbers used. To 2011 has made 2 full-size violins - one with traditional timbers (2008), and one with Tasmanian Blackwood, King Billy pine and Tasmanina myrtle for the neck (2010). Also completed a half-size violin made of the same Tasmanian timbers (2011). Each instrument won prize at the Royal Adelaide Show Art & Craft Competitions, both full-size instruments judged Best in Show (for woodwork).
WHITE, E. J. (Jim) Photo in the Melbourne Museum showing E. J. (Jim) White with his hand made violin, Casterton District, Victoria.
WHITE, John James (1888-1960) Violin with typed label, Auburn, NSW, 1924.
WHITE, Justin Craig (b.1972)
WHITEHEAD, Frederick George (1888-1963) Made at least 7 violins and 1 cello.
WHITEHEAD, Neville Raymond
WIDMER, Geoffrey (b.1925)
WIGGINS, Charles Arthur (1871-1948) Son of Thomas Wiggins (II). Amateur violin maker in Woodsdale, Tasmania. Awarded first prize in Tasmanian Exhibition, 1894/95 for a violin made of 365 inlaid pieces, including mother of pearl.
WIGGINS, Lyall Thomas (1914-1965) Grandson of Thomas Wiggins (II). Amateur maker in Tasmania, made a number of violins.
WIGGINS, Raymond Joseph (1882-1973) Son of Thomas Wiggins (II). Amateur maker, thought to have made at least 5 violins, Colebrook, Tasmania.
WIGGINS, Thomas (1803-1884) Amateur maker, Tasmania. Made a number of violins. One possible example, c.1840, now in Narryna Heritage Museum, Hobart, Tas.
WIGGINS, Thomas (II) (1842-1914) Amateur maker, Wattle Hill, Tasmania. Learned from his father, Thomas Wiggins (1) and passed on the tradition to his descendents.
WIGGINS, Thomas Henry (1867-1949) Son of Thomas Wiggins (II). Amateur maker, Wattle Hill, Tasmania. Made a number of violins.
WILLIAMS, Alan Scott (b.1968) Dip.NSVM (1995). Born in Norfolk, England. Made new instruments in the workshop of Bruno Bourhis (France), then employed producing exact copies of old instruments in the workshop of Roger Hansell (UK). Later worked for Paul Gosling (UK) undertaking restorations, followed by self employment. Moved to Melbourne, Australia in 2006.
WILLIAMS, Kevin James (b.1925) Made his first violin in 1951 and became a full-time maker in 1972. Uses Australian timbers which he personally collects and mills.
WILLIAMS, Theodota (nee Theodoridis) (b.1966) Dip.NSVM (1995). Initially trained with Roger Buckmaster and made first violin in 1980. First instruments labelled Dota Theodoridis. Made new instruments in the workshop of Bruno Bourhis (France) then worked at Cremona House (UK) on general setups and repairs. Later worked for Paul Gosling (UK) undertaking restorations, then lectured part-time at NSVM, followed by self-employment. Married Alan Williams in 1999 so subsequent instruments made as Dota Williams. Returned to Melbourne, Australia in 2006.
WILLS, Geoffrey Carmichael (1919-2000) Maker of modern and baroque violins, violas and cellos, and also viols. Began making in Brisbane in the early 1970's, with assistance from Fabrizio Reginato. Made over 250 intruments using both Australian and traditional timbers.
WILLSON, Gregory John WILSON, Glenn Brian (b.1961) Trained in guitar construction in Canada, self-taught
violin maker. Has made 3 violins to 2003, one from Australian cedar. Labelled with signature
and year. WILSON, John Francis (b.1941) Mt. Wilson, NSW. WILSON, Thomas A. - Geelong, Vic. Listed in an exhibition catalogue
from Farmer's Blaxland Galleries (1938). WINTER - of Winter and Stanley, Pianoforte Makers of 39 Elizabeth St, Hobart Town, Tas.
Possibly also made violins prior to 1867. WISE, Scott (b.1950) Amateur violin maker, WA. WITHYCOMBE, Hugh Thomas Morse (b.1971) Dip.NSVM. Worked in ACT from 2003. WITTHOLZ, Robert John (b.1954) WOOD, Ross Clement (b.1954) WOODHEAD, Henry John Curwen (1875-1950) Caulfield, Vic. Music teacher who also made some instruments. He made No.5 (a viola) in 1916. WOTHERSPOON, Walter Edward (1879-1946) Self-taught violin maker, Lismore, NSW. Made at least 2
violins using European timber. Violin No.2 dated 1902. WRIGHT, Brian Gordon Wilson YAKIMOFF, John (1878-1956) Name also sometimes written as 'Yakimov'. Came to Australia from Russia via China in 1925. Made around 40 violins and a few violas. Worked at 169a George St, Sydney from 1927 to 1933. YOUNG, Alexander Tuck (1846-1916) Trevallyn, Tas. Received award for 2 violins, a viola and a cello at
the Tasmanian Exhibition, Launceston, 1891/92. YOUNG, J. C. YOUNG, John Thomas (1900-1989) Completed first violin in 1954. Made at least 12 instruments, some in NSW and others in Adelaide. ZARASYAN, Aram Artin (b.1964) ZIVEC, Frantisek Joseph Emanuel (Frank) (1901-1963) Migrated to Melbourne, 1949.
Set up a shop at 427
Lygon St, Carlton, Vic and produced about 8 to 10 instruments a year. Sold some instruments in USA. Abbreviations: AAMIM = Australian Association of Musical Instrument Makers db = double bass ACT = Australian Capital Territory © Alan Coggins 2009 ~ X ~
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ASL = American School of Lutherie, California
ASO = Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
IPIALL = Scuola Internazionale di Liuteria, Cremona
LGU = London Guildhall University (formerly London School of Furniture)
PHM = Powerhouse Museum (formerly Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences)
MSO = Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
MSVM = Mittenwald School of Violin Making
NAA = National Archives of Australia
NMA = National Museum of Australia
NSVM = Newark School of Violin Making
SSO = Sydney Symphony Orchestra
VMABC = Violin Makers Association of British Columbia
VSA = Violin Society of America
WASO = Western Australian Symphony Orchestra
WSVM = Welsh School of Violin Making
va = viola
vc = cello
vn = violin
NSW = New South Wales
NT = Northern Territory
Qld = Queensland
SA = South Australia
Tas = Tasmania
Vic = Victoria
WA = West Australia