Instrument Type: Violin
Circa: 1770
Asking Price: SOLD
Maker: Charles and Samuel Thompson
The Violin
The brothers Charles and Samuel Thompson made this Thompson violin in London in 1770. It is a lovely example of their work. The one-piece back is gorgeous.
The sound is powerful and rich, with a very mature and complex tone. More than two centuries of playing shaped that voice. This Thompson violin has a back length of 35.7 cm.
Eighteenth-century English violins often sit in the shadow of their Italian counterparts. Because of that, they can be outstanding value for players who care most about sound.
This Thompson violin makes the case well. It has real age, character and power at an accessible level, plus the history of one of London’s best-known 18th-century workshops behind it. Also, the one-piece back gives it an especially handsome look, and it remains fully ready for regular performance.
The Maker
Charles and Samuel Thompson grew up in London in a violin making family. Their father, Peter Thompson, founded the family firm, known as Thompson and Sons, and he ran it until the brothers took over in 1763.
They renamed the business Charles and Samuel Thompson, and it kept that name until 1790. Samuel died in 1794, and the family business carried on until it closed in 1805.
The Thompsons were among the best-known names in the London trade of their day. Their shop published music as well as building instruments, which kept them close to the working musicians of the city. So a Thompson violin is a classic example of 18th-century English making, and it suits players and collectors alike.
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.