Archibald Morrison
Falkirk, Glasgow, 1820–1895
Archibald Morrison (1820-1895) was a Scottish violin maker born in Falkirk and active in Glasgow. Initially working for others, he established his own workshop in 1865. He crafted violins, initially following Amati and Stradivari models before concentrating on Guarneri, using good materials and known for detailed, conscientious work, though sometimes heavy. His instruments were noted for their good tone. His Glasgow workshop was a popular meeting place for local fiddle enthusiasts.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
5 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.9 cm Glasgow, 1891 | — | October 2008 | £1,170 |
| Violin | 1847 | — | May 2002 | £395 |
| Violin | 1894 | — | February 1997 | £500 |
| Violin | 1866 | — | April 1991 | £550 |
| Violin | 1892 | — | November 1984 | £682 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Archibald Morrison (1820-1895) was born in Falkirk, Scotland, in 1820 and died in Glasgow in 1895. He was the son of a blind fiddler and was himself a skilled violinist. After various career changes, he became a violin maker., he worked for Alexander Mann in 1860, while John Dilworth states he worked for John Mann from 1860. Morrison established his own workshop independently from 1865.
Characteristics
- Models
- His early violins were made after Amati and Stradivari models, later concentrating on Guarneri models.
- Workmanship
- His instruments were described by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff as 'no masterpieces, but quite good in tone'. John Dilworth noted his work as very detailed and conscientious, though sometimes a little heavy.
- Materials
- He used good materials and varnish, but often employed heavy-grained local pine for the tops of his instruments.
- Labels
- Examples of his labels include 'ARCHIBALD MORRISON, MAKER, GLASGOW, 1875' and 'Archibald Morrison / Violin Maker. / Glasgow. 1891'.
- Archibald Morrison
Violin Maker.
Glasgow. 1891John Dilworth
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
MORRISON, Archibald Born 1820 Falkirk, died 1895 Glasgow, Scotland UK. Musician and violin maker, established in Glasgow from 1854. Worked for John Mann from 1860. Established independently from 1865. Some examples also labelled from Bridgetown, Glasgow. Amati and Stradivari models; later concentrating on Guarneri. Very detailed and conscientious work, if a little heavy. Good materials and varnish but often heavy grained local pine used for the tops. Archibald Morrison / Violin Maker. / Glasgow. 1891
William Meredith Morris+
He worked in Great Hamilton Street, where he had a violin shop, and where he made a large number of instruments, some fairly good, but most of rather under average merit. The little of his work that I have seen was of a very indifferent character. Morrison appears to have been a far better player than maker, and his shop was the rendezvous of fiddle enthusiasts and players, who were known in Glasgow as ” Morrison’s Band.” Label :—
ARCHIBALD MORRISON, MAKER, GLASGOW, 1875
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Er war der Sohn eines blinden Geigers und selbst ein tüchtiger Geiger.
Nach mancherlei Berufswechsel wurde er Geigenmacher, arbeitete eine Zeit lang
für Alexander Mann (1860) und eröffnete 1865 seine eigene Werkstatt. Seine
ersten Violinen waren nach Amati und Stradivari, später auch nach Guarneri gemacht;
sie waren keine Meisterwerke, aber ziemlich gut im Ton.
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