Richard Duke

LONDON, ENGLAND 1773

IU CATALOG NUMBER 17

Body Length 15”

Worked in London, 1750-1780. Fairly prolific maker of instruments, many of them being really fine-toned. If his well-known authenticated instruments were the only ones in use, he would be regarded as one of the best, if not the finest, of the English makers. His instruments are generally excellent replicas of the smaller Stainer characteristics, though some connoisseurs frequently pronounce the arching to be overdone. Violas not always of the full size invariably required by professional players. The few that have these required proportions are very rich in tone. Medium arching of fine graduation. Frequently one-piece backs. He did however make many violas of shorter length and greater width. His original aim was for deep tone, but his calculations went astray though this is somewhat compensated for by an additional brightness.