Bert Smith
Coniston, 1910–1973
Apprenticed as a motor engineer in Bowness. Began violin making as a self-taught amateur 1938. Later employed as an engineer at the slate quarries of Coniston and from 1958 worked full-time as a luthier. Used the 1716 Stradivari ‘Messie’ and 1742 Guarneri del Gesù ‘Vieuxtemps’ violins as models. Som\u{2026} — John Dilworth
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
16 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Two-piece back of medium fine curl, varnish of a reddish brown colour on a golden ground Lot 3414 | Gardiner | March 2025 | £976est. £ 800-1,200 |
| Violin | Two-piece back of faint medium curl, varnish of a light reddish brown colour on a golden ground Lot 2412 | Gardiner | March 2024 | £1,708est. £ 1,000-1,500 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Coniston Lans, 1961 | — | December 2009 | £1,104 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm East View Coniston Lancs, 1967 | — | June 2008 | £882 |
| Viola | 41.9 cm 1953 | — | November 2006 | £960 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Coniston, 1967 | — | February 2006 | £840 |
| Viola | 41.9 cm Coniston, Lancs., 1966 | — | February 2006 | £960 |
| Violin | 1967 | — | September 2002 | £460 |
| Violin | 1965 | — | September 2000 | £633 |
| Violin | 1951 | — | June 2000 | £1,380 |
| Viola | 40.3 cm 1966 | — | March 1999 | £4,370 |
| Violin | 1970 | — | March 1999 | £1,380 |
| Violin | 1967 | — | February 1997 | £978 |
| Violin | 1954 | — | March 1993 | £1,430 |
| Violin | 1953 | — | October 1991 | £572 |
| Violin | 1962 | — | September 1989 | £748 |
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Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SMITH, Bert Born 1910 Sale, Cheshire, died 1973 Coniston, Cumbria UK. Apprenticed as a motor engineer in Bowness. Began violin making as a self-taught amateur 1938. Later employed as an engineer at the slate quarries of Coniston and from 1958 worked full-time as a luthier. Used the 1716 Stradivari ‘Messie’ and 1742 Guarneri del Gesù ‘Vieuxtemps’ violins as models. Some contralto violas and bows for both instruments. Very accurately made with golden-brown to red-brown varnish. Name branded beneath the back button. Relics of his workshop currently in the Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal. Facsimile Antonius Stradivarius Made by Bert Smith East View, Coniston, Lancs. 19.. [Davies]
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