Wilmslow School
Job Ardern
Wilmslow, 1826–1912
Apprenticed as a carpenter. Began violin making in 1855 as a hobby. Self-taught. Produced over 500 instruments which he rarely put up for sale. The majority of these were acquired after his death by W. E. Hill & Sons, who set them up in their own workshops and sold them, mainly abroad. Very ple\u{2026} — John Dilworth
Auction price history
Highest auction price
28 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.6 cm Wilmslow, 1880 c. | — | March 2011 | £1,320 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Cheshire, 1900 c. | — | June 2010 | £720 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Cheshire, 1880 c. | — | March 2010 | £2,400 |
| Violin | 36 cm | — | March 2009 | £1,035 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm 1890 c. | — | July 2007 | £1,080 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Late 19th C. | — | February 2007 | £1,035 |
| Violin | Wilmslow, 1888 | — | November 2004 | £1,434 |
| Violin | Wilmslow | — | March 2004 | £358 |
| Violin | 1870 c. | — | February 2004 | £1,912 |
| Violin | 1880 | — | November 2002 | £1,840 |
| Violin | 1900 | — | June 2002 | £1,132 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | June 2001 | £1,150 |
| Violin | 1900 | — | February 2001 | £978 |
| Violin | 1912 | — | November 1999 | £850 |
| Violin | 18-- | — | October 1997 | £450 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | March 1997 | £1,265 |
| Violin | 1890 c. | — | November 1996 | £690 |
| Violin | 1890 c. | — | December 1995 | £1,519 |
| Violin | 18-- | — | October 1993 | £805 |
| Violin | 18-- | — | February 1993 | £440 |
| Violin | 1885 | — | November 1992 | £660 |
| Violin | 1894 | — | November 1992 | £660 |
| Violin | 1880 c. | — | June 1992 | £682 |
| Violin | 18-- | — | September 1991 | £749 |
| Violin | 18-- | — | July 1991 | £550 |
| Violin | 1894 | — | June 1990 | £1,100 |
| Violin | — | June 1990 | £748 | |
| Violin | 1890 c. | — | March 1990 | £902 |
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Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
ARDERN, Job Born 1826, died 1912 Wilmslow, Cheshire UK. Apprenticed as a carpenter. Began violin making in 1855 as a hobby. Self-taught. Produced over 500 instruments which he rarely put up for sale. The majority of these were acquired after his death by W. E. Hill & Sons, who set them up in their own workshops and sold them, mainly abroad. Very pleasant and distinctive instruments on an Amati model. Nicely regulated with softened edges and a good clear dark orange or red-brown varnish. Pretty scroll and fairly long soundholes with slightly exaggerated sweep. Made by Job Ardern / b. 1826. 1879 / Wilmslow Cheshire Job Ardern Wilmslow / No. 286. Cheshire 1898 Hill label: Made by Job Ardern / Wilmslow, Cheshire Born 1826 died 1912
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