Peter Hardie
Dunkeld, 1775–1863
Peter Hardie (born 1773 or 1775, died 1863) was a Scottish violin and violoncello maker from Dunkeld, Perthshire. He was the son of an army surgeon and was known as "Highland Hardie." Hardie was an accomplished violinist and composer, and his violoncellos are particularly noted for their excellent tone. He studied in Edinburgh and was a pupil of his cousin Matthew Hardie, Willie Blair, and violinist Neil Gow. His instrument models often combined elements of Amati and Stainer, featuring a higher arch than his cousin's work, and he marked his instruments with a brand 'P. Hardie' under the button.
Maker Overview
Life
Peter Hardie (born 1773 or 1775, died 1863) was a Scottish instrument maker. Sources contain conflicting information regarding his birth year, with Cecie Stainer stating 1773, while John Dilworth and William Meredith Morris indicate 1775. He died in 1863, specifically in November, and was buried in Dowally churchyard, Perthshire. Hardie was the son of an army surgeon and was born, probably abroad, before settling in Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland UK. He was known as "Highland Hardie" and possessed a unique personality and great physique. Beyond his craft, Hardie was an excellent violinist and also composed music.
Characteristics
- Instruments
- Peter Hardie produced numerous violins and violoncellos.
- Tone Quality
- His instruments, particularly his violoncellos, are noted for their especially fine tone.
- Model and Arching
- His model is described by William Meredith Morris as a compromise between that of Amati and Stainer. He sometimes followed the lines of his cousin, Matthew Hardie, but generally exaggerated his arch. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that his work is very similar to Matthew Hardie's, but his arching is much higher and the execution less careful. John Dilworth describes some of his instruments as "unrefined" of Stainer type, sometimes made without purfling.
- Scrolls
- The scrolls on his instruments are reminiscent of those by Ruddiman.
- Marking
- Instead of a paper label, Hardie typically used a brand mark stamped under the button, reading 'P. Hardie'.
Influence and legacy
- Education: Peter Hardie studied in Edinburgh.
- Mentorship: He was influenced by his cousin, Matthew Hardie, to dedicate himself to violin making. He subsequently became a pupil of both Matthew Hardie and Willie Blair.
- Musical Training: He was also a pupil of the renowned violinist Neil Gow.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
HARDIE, Peter Born 1775, died 1863 Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland UK. Scottish traditional player and pupil of violinist Neil Gow. Maker of a few unrefined instruments of Stainer type without purfling. Some cellos also known. Branded beneath button: ‘P. Hardie’ [Rattray]
William Meredith Morris+
He was the son of Dr. Hardie, an army surgeon, and was born in 1775, probably abroad. He died in Nov. 1863, and was buried in Dowally churchyard, Perthshire. He is known as ” Highland Hardie,” and was a man of unique personality and great physique. His model is a compromise between that of Amati and Stainer. He sometimes followed the lines of his cousin, Matt. Hardie, but he generally exaggerated his arch. The tone is usually excellent. No label, but simply stamped under the button : —
P. HARDIE
Cecie Stainer+
A maker in Dunkeld, b. 1773; d. 1863. He turned out excellent instruments, and his violoncellos have an especially fine tone.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Er war der Sohn eines Regimentsarztes und studierte in Edinburgh, wo er
durch seinen Vetter Matthew Hardie darauf gebracht wurde, sich dem Geigenmachen
zu widmen. Er wurde Schüler seines Vetters und hauptsächlich Willie
Blair’s. Er hat viele Violinen und Violoncelli gemacht, seine Arbeit ist der von
Matthew H. sehr ähnlich, nur ist die Wölbung bei ihm viel höher und die
Durchführung weniger sorgfältig. Die Schnecken erinnern an die von Ruddiman.
Hardie war ein vorzüglicher Geiger und hat auch componirt. Er gebrauchte
statt der Zettel nur eine Brandmarke: P. Hardie.
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