Instrument Type: Violin
Circa: 1740
Asking Price: SOLD
Maker: English Wamsley School
The Violin
This Wamsley school violin is a lovely English instrument from around 1740. The head comes from a later period. An earlier attribution gave the violin to Lorenzo Carcassi, and its correct identification made it available at a far more reasonable price.
It sounds wonderful: rich and powerful, with a dark, complex set of colors. You can hear why someone once took it for the work of an Italian master. A slightly more petite build also makes it very comfortable to play, and the back measures 35.3 cm.
For a player who wants the depth of an old instrument without an old Italian price, this Wamsley school violin was a real bargain. The correction to its attribution changed the price, not the sound.
This Wamsley school violin also shows how much character early English instruments can offer. The sound rewards careful listening, so it suits a player who values tone above all. Because the body runs slightly small, it stays easy to play through long hours of rehearsal and performance.
The Maker
Peter Wamsley was one of the leading London violin makers of the early 18th century. The makers who followed his style produced many fine English violins, often on the Stainer-influenced models that England favored at the time.
So a Wamsley school violin gives players the warmth and character of early English making. Fine examples like this one can rival Italian instruments in sound, which is exactly what happened here.
Early English instruments were built for the concert life that brought Handel and many visiting Italian virtuosos to London. The best of them still hold their own in today’s halls.
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.