Leeds School
George Langton Dykes
Leeds, 1884–1922
George Langton Dykes (1884-1922) was an English violin maker, born in Leeds and active from the age of twelve. He was the son and pupil of Harry Dykes and also trained by Paul Bailly, a pupil of Jean Baptiste Vuillaume. Dykes was known for making very fine French-style copies of classical instruments, utilizing a special varnish recipe, and was greatly admired during his lifetime.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.5 cm Leeds, 1899 | March 2010 | £3,360 |
| Violin | 1907 | May 2001 | £1,972 |
| Violin | 1907 | November 1998 | £2,760 |
Maker Overview
Life
George Langton Dykes (1884-1922) was born in 1884 in Leeds and died in 1922 in London, UK. He was the son of Harry Dykes, the well-known violin expert and dealer. George Langton Dykes commenced violin-making at the age of twelve and a half years. He received a good education and could speak French and German fluently. By March 1901, William Meredith Morris had already published his biography with a picture in The Strad, noting his work was full of promise. Sources contain conflicting information regarding the number of instruments he had completed by a certain point, stating either seventeen or twenty violins.
Characteristics
- Style
- He made very fine French-style copies of classical instruments, building after Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati.
- Workmanship
- All the work, including purfling, sound-holes, and scroll, was personal.
- Varnish
- He utilized a varnish recipe supposedly originating from Vuillaume's workshop, which was taught to him by Paul Bailly.
- Label
- His printed label read: "Made by / George L. Dykes / Leeds, pupil of / Paul Bailly / (pupil of Jean Baptiste Vuillaume of Paris)".
- Made by
George L. Dykes
Leeds, pupil of
Paul Bailly
(pupil of Jean Baptiste Vuillaume of Paris)John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: He was the son and pupil of his father, Harry Dykes.
- Training: He was also trained by Paul Bailly, who worked for his father and was a pupil of Jean Baptiste Vuillaume of Paris.
- Reputation: George Langton Dykes was greatly admired in his time.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
DYKES, George Langton Born 1884 Leeds, died 1922 London UK. Son and pupil of Harry Dykes, below. Active violin maker from the age of 12. Trained also by Paul Bailly who worked for his father. Made very fine French-style copies of classical instruments, using a varnish recipe supposedly originating from Vuillaume’s workshop and taught to him by Bailly. Greatly admired in his time. Printed label: Made by / George L. Dykes / Leeds, pupil of / Paul Bailly / (pupil of Jean Baptiste Vuillaume of Paris)
William Meredith Morris+
He is the son of Mr. Harry Dykes, the well-known violin expert and dealer. He was born on October 11, 1884, and is probably, as will be seen from the date, the youngest fiddle-maker in Britain. He has received a good education, and can speak French and German fluently. He commenced violin-making when he was twelve and a half years of age, and he has finished up to date seventeen violins. All the work is personal ; purfling, sound-holes, scroll and all. He is the pupil of his father and of Mons. Paul Bailly. His work is full of promise, and more will be heard of him, no doubt, in years to come. Facsimile label : —
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Wohl der jüngste unter den Geigenmachern der Gegenwart. Mit zwölfeinhalb
Jahren trat er in die Lehre bei seinem Vater und ging dann zu Paul
Bailly. Er hat bis jetzt zwanzig Violinen gemacht, die in allen Einzelheiten seine
eigene Arbeit zeigen. Er baut nach Stradivari, Guarneri und Amati und zwar mit solchem
Erfolg, dass schon im März 1901 Meredith-Morris seine Biographie mit Bild in »The
Strad« veröffentlichte. Dass er auch im Übrigen eine gute Ausbildung genossen hat undDeutsch und Französisch mit bemerkenswerther Sicherheit spricht, sei nebenbei
erwähnt.
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.
Family
Arthur W. Dykes Son
Working in Leeds at the same time
Albert E. Warrick worked 1889–1915
Alfred Walker Heaps 1854–1906
Ivy Rimmer Owen b. 1883
John William Owen 1852–1933
Leonard Percy Balmforth 1881–1936
Thomas J. Bellingham 1853–1927
William Heaton worked 1872–1906