Instrument Type: Violin
Circa: 1927
Asking Price: SOLD
Maker: Alfred Vincent
The Violin
Alfred Vincent made this violin in London in 1927. A stunning one-piece maple back matches the ribs and the scroll. Warm orange-brown varnish sits over a golden ground.
The violin sounds warm and rich, and it projects well. That combination suits chamber and orchestral playing alike. This Alfred Vincent violin has a back length of 35.3 cm.
Vincent opened his Great Pulteney Street workshop in the same year. So this Alfred Vincent violin comes from the peak of his career, when players and dealers alike knew his name.
Orchestral and chamber musicians still look for exactly this voice: a warm English sound with enough carry to hold a section. The wood and varnish make it rewarding to look at as well. In short, this Alfred Vincent violin represents London making between the wars at its best.
The Maker
Alfred Vincent lived from 1877 to 1947, and he worked in London from 1902. He played first violin at His Majesty’s Theatre, and he made instruments alongside that career. Later his brother assisted him in the shop.
He won first prize at the Cobbett Competition in London in 1923. Then, in 1927, he established himself in Great Pulteney Street. He completed more than three hundred instruments, and he left a quartet to the Royal Academy of Music.
Because he played professionally, Vincent knew exactly what an instrument has to do under the chin. An Alfred Vincent violin earns its reputation on that practical, player-focused sound as much as on its craftsmanship. His instruments also hold their value well, which matters to any player buying for the long term.
Terms of Sale
This violin has sold, so it is no longer available for purchase. Benning Violins invites you to browse our current catalog of fine instruments. You can also contact us directly to ask about similar pieces.