England School
Arthur Richardson
Crediton, Devon, 1882–1965
Self-taught violin maker. One of the finest 20th century English makers. Initial career as an architectural wood carver in Leeds. Established professionally as a violin maker from 1915 in Crediton. Copies of the Stradivari ‘Alard’, ‘Tuscan’, and ‘Betts’ violins, and the Guarneri del Gesù ‘King Josep\u{2026} — John Dilworth
Auction price history
Highest auction price
59 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viola | Labelled R. T. Viola Tertis model, made by Arthur Richardson, Crediton Devon Lot 15 | — | May 2024 | £5,159est. € 3.000-5.000 |
| Violin | Lot 194 | Bonhams | May 2015 | £2 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Crediton, 1927 n°123 | — | December 2011 | £3,840 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Devon, 1920 | — | October 2011 | £2,300 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm 1921 | — | March 2011 | £2,400 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Crediton, 1920 | — | December 2010 | £1,080 |
| Viola | 43.0 cm Crediton, 1952 'Tertis' model | — | December 2010 | £2,280 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Devon, 1928 | — | March 2010 | £3,220 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Devon, 1928 | — | March 2010 | £4,370 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Devon, 1934 | — | March 2010 | £5,060 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Crediton, 1924 | — | October 2009 | £3,600 |
| Viola | 42.7 cm Devon, 1960 'Tertis' model | — | March 2009 | £2,340 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Crediton, 1926 | — | June 2008 | £5,187 |
| Viola | 42.7 cm Devon, 1953 'Tertis' model | — | May 2005 | £2,442 |
| Violin | Devon, 1926 | — | May 2005 | £2,137 |
| Viola | 42.5 cm 1947 | — | November 2003 | £3,120 |
| Violin | 1942 | — | September 2003 | £3,643 |
| Violin | 1924 | — | November 2002 | £2,760 |
| Violin | 1923 | — | June 2000 | £2,185 |
| Cello | 1919 | — | June 2000 | £9,200 |
| Violin | 1936 | — | March 2000 | £5,520 |
| Violin | 1940 | — | March 2000 | £4,025 |
| Violin Bow | G/T 65 g. | — | December 1999 | £827 |
| Violin | 1919 | — | November 1999 | £3,500 |
| Violin | 1926 | — | November 1999 | £2,800 |
| Cello | 1926 | — | March 1999 | £3,335 |
| Violin | 1944 | — | November 1998 | £4,600 |
| Violin | 1927 | — | October 1997 | £3,450 |
| Viola | 42.9 cm 1945 | — | May 1997 | £1,380 |
| Violin | 1927 | — | June 1996 | £3,335 |
| Violin | 1934 | — | June 1996 | £5,060 |
| Violin | 1935 | — | March 1996 | £4,600 |
| Violin | 1928 | — | November 1995 | £2,760 |
| Violin | 19-- | — | June 1995 | £1,380 |
| Violin | 1932 | — | November 1994 | £3,220 |
| Violin | 1927 | — | June 1994 | £2,640 |
| Violin | 1936 | — | March 1994 | £3,220 |
| Viola | 42.9 cm 1947 | — | March 1994 | £2,070 |
| Violin | 1932 | — | November 1993 | £2,970 |
| Viola | 42.9 cm 1945 | — | October 1993 | £1,840 |
| Viola | 42.5 cm 1951 | — | February 1993 | £1,100 |
| Viola | 42.5 cm 1954 | — | September 1992 | £1,320 |
| Violin | 1923 | — | July 1992 | £2,420 |
| Viola | 42.5 cm 1938 | — | June 1992 | £1,870 |
| Viola | 41.3 cm 1924 | — | March 1991 | £715 |
| Cello | 1921 | — | November 1990 | £4,950 |
| Viola | 42.5 cm 1948 | — | November 1990 | £1,650 |
| Viola | 42.5 cm 1952 | — | November 1989 | £2,970 |
| Viola | 42.9 cm 1945 | — | March 1989 | £1,540 |
| Viola | 42.9 cm 1939 | — | March 1989 | £1,320 |
| Viola | 41.3 cm 1938 | — | July 1988 | £2,640 |
| Viola | 42.9 cm 1951 | — | March 1988 | £1,155 |
| Viola | 41.3 cm 1934 | — | November 1986 | £2,200 |
| Viola | 42.9 cm 1946 | — | March 1986 | £1,134 |
| Cello | 1934 | — | July 1985 | £3,520 |
| Viola | 42.5 cm 1950 | — | April 1984 | £650 |
| Cello | 1929 | — | April 1983 | £1,026 |
| Viola | 42.5 cm 1948 | — | November 1982 | £863 |
| Cello | 1937 | — | March 1981 | £2,722 |
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Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
RICHARDSON, Arthur Born 1882 Stavely, Derbyshire, died 1965 Crediton, Devon UK. Self-taught violin maker. One of the finest 20th century English makers. Initial career as an architectural wood carver in Leeds. Established professionally as a violin maker from 1915 in Crediton. Copies of the Stradivari ‘Alard’, ‘Tuscan’, and ‘Betts’ violins, and the Guarneri del Gesù ‘King Joseph’ and ‘Sainton’ violins. Also a Stradivari-derived personal pattern. Associated with Lionel Tertis in developing the ‘Tertis model’ viola, temporarily successful but presently out of favour. Awarded first prize in the Cobbett Competition 1919 for a violin and quartet. Worked with a chemist named Millington at Borrowwash, Derby to develop a fine clear and well-coloured varnish, which was subsequently sold commercially with considerable success. Completed 177 Tertis violas, 30 conventional altos, 291 violins and 28 cellos. Awarded the M.B.E in 1961. No.. Made by / Arthur Richardson / Crediton. Devon
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