London School
John (I) Morrison
London, 1760–1827
John (I) Morrison (1760-1827) was a London-based violin maker and a pupil of Forster, known for producing instruments primarily for dealers. His craftsmanship is variously described, ranging from "undistinguished trade work" to "very craftsmanlike execution," with some sources noting "poor workmanship." He often based his instruments on Stainer models, sometimes incorporating decorative elements like double purfling, mother-of-pearl, and ebony. His varnish was typically reddish or dark brown, and his cellos were considered "of useful size and value." Morrison operated workshops at several locations across London, including Harvey Buildings, Princes Street, Avery Row, Shadwell, and Little Turnstile.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cello | Two-piece back of faint fine curl, table of fine grain, varnish of a golden brown colour | March 2025 | £31,720 |
| Small Violoncello | Unlabelled | March 2025 | £14,160 |
| Cello | 74.4 cm London, 1800 c. (neck damage) [Attributed to] | June 2009 | £1,440 |
| Violin | London, 1800 c. | January 2005 | £2,151 |
| Cello | 1800 c. | March 2002 | £19,975 |
| Cello | 1800 | March 2001 | £6,900 |
| Cello | 1828 | June 1988 | £5,720 |
| Cello | 1800 c. | April 1987 | £2,090 |
Maker Overview
Life
John (I) Morrison (1760-1827) was a London-based violin maker., he was born in 1760 and died in 1827. However, Cecie Stainer states he died between 1820 and 1830, indicating conflicting information regarding his exact death year. He was possibly the son of William Morrison. John (I) Morrison established his workshop at 4 Harvey Buildings, Strand, around 1803. He later moved to 51 Princes Street, Soho, then to 14 Avery Row, Bond Street, around 1815. From 1819, he worked in Shadwell, returning to 44 Princes Street around 1828, and finally settling in Little Turnstile, Holborn, where he died. William Meredith Morris noted that he had never seen instruments bearing Morrison's label, suggesting he worked exclusively for dealers. Cecie Stainer also corroborates that most of his instruments were made for dealers.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- John (I) Morrison's instruments are often described as "undistinguished trade work" by John Dilworth and "of very handwerksmässiger Ausführung" (very craftsmanlike execution) by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff. Cecie Stainer characterized his work as "of poor workmanship."
- Models
- He primarily produced instruments based on Stainer models.
- Decoration
- Some of his violins were "hübsch ausgestattet mit doppelter Einlage und Perlmutter- und Ebenholzverzierungen" (nicely equipped with double purfling and mother-of-pearl and ebony decorations). John Dilworth further specifies "mother-of-pearl herringbone banding on the edges" and mentions that "some plainer wood [was] enhanced with painted or stained figure beneath the varnish."
- Varnish
- Lütgendorff described his varnish as "von röthlicher Farbe und schlecht" (of reddish color and poor quality). John Dilworth noted "dark brown varnish."
- Cellos
- His cellos are described by John Dilworth as being "of useful size and value."
- Signing
- Instruments were generally "signed internally on the table."
- John Morrison
London
made 1798John Dilworth - John Morrison
Maker (from Forsters)
No.4 Harvey Buildings Strand, London.
1803John Dilworth - J.Morrison
from Forster
Violin, Violoncello & Double-Bass Maker
No 51 Prince�s Street
Soho John Morrison
Maker
152 High Street
Shadw.
London. 1824John Dilworth - Jn. Morrison
Maker
44 Princes St.
Soho
London, 1828John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Training: John (I) Morrison was a pupil of Forster.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
MORRISON, John (I) Born 1760, died 1827 London UK. Possibly son of William Morrison, below. Pupil of Forster. Undistinguished trade work sold by various London dealers. Established at 4 Harvey Buildings, Strand c.1803, later at 51 Princes Street, Soho, 14 Avery Row, Bond Street c.1815, from 1819 in Shadwell, returning to 44 Princes Street c.1828, and finally Little Turnstile, Holborn. Stainer models with dark brown varnish. Some violins decorated with mother-of-pearl herringbone banding on the edges. Some plainer wood enhanced with painted or stained figure beneath the varnish. Cellos of useful size and value. Generally signed internally on the table. John Morrison / London / made 1798 John Morrison / Maker (from Forsters) / No.4 Harvey Buildings Strand, London. / 1803 J.Morrison / from Forster / Violin, Violoncello & Double-Bass Maker / No 51 Prince�s Street / Soho John Morrison / Maker / 152 High Street / Shadw. / London. 1824 Jn. Morrison / Maker / 44 Princes St. / Soho / London, 1828 [BVMA]
William Meredith Morris+
Reworked in Princes Street, Soho, in Shadwell, and at Little Turnstile, Holborn. I have never seen any instruments bearing his label. I think he must have worked exclusively for the dealers.
Cecie Stainer+
b. about 1760; d. between 1820 and 1830. A maker in London, first lived in Princes Street, Soho, then, in 1819, in Shadwell, and finally at Little Turnstile, Holborn, where he died. Most of his instruments were made for the dealers and were of poor workmanship.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Er hatte einen kleinen Laden erst in der Princess Street, Soho, 1819 in
Shadwell und zuletzt in Little Turnstile, Holborn. Seine Geigen sind oft von
sehr handwerksmässiger Ausführung, einzelne aber hübsch ausgestattet mit
doppelter Einlage und Perlmutter- und Ebenholzverzierungen. Der Lack ist
von röthlicher Farbe und schlecht.
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