Thomas (II) Perry

Name: Thomas (II) Perry auction price records, Amati Instrument Archive
Creator: Amati

Dublin, worked 1745–1818

Thomas (II) Perry (circa 1745-1818) was a prominent Dublin-based luthier, son and successor to Thomas Perry (I).

Worked Dublin

Made Cello, Viola, Violin

Family Son of Thomas Perry

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£5,052

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin	Unlabelled, branded Perry, Dublin, few worm holes in scroll, repairs to table, sound post crack in table	June 2020	£3,120
Violin		October 2012	£4,750
Violin	35.4 cm Dublin, 1770 c.	March 2011	£4,800
Violin	35.4 cm Dublin, 1820 c. (in need of restoration)	December 2009	£313
Violin	35.3 cm Dublin, 1824	October 2009	£1,112
Violin	35.3 cm Dublin, 1790 c. bearing original neck	March 2009	£1,200
Violin	35.4 cm Dublin, 1806 (restorations)	March 2009	£3,120
Violin	35.5 cm Dublin, 1773	March 2008	£3,750
Violin	35.3 cm Dublin, 1813	May 2007	£560
Violin	35.5 cm Dublin, 1815	October 2006	£5,052
Violin	35.4 cm Dublin, 1790 c.	May 2006	£542
Violin	Dublin, 1815	February 2005	£1,920
Violin	Dublin, 1809	July 2004	£4,200
Violin	1790	May 2003	£1,645
Violin	1790	September 2002	£690
Violin	1816	February 2002	£1,400
Violin	1823	July 2000	£3,120
Violin	1804	June 1998	£1,840
Violin	1820	March 1998	£1,322
Violin	1813	February 1998	£2,425
Viola	39.1 cm 1785	November 1997	£4,083
Violin	1810 c.	October 1997	£608
Violin	1803	June 1997	£632
Violin	1791	May 1996	£1,203
Violin	1813	December 1995	£1,736
Violin	1804	June 1995	£483
Violin	1808	March 1995	£1,380
Violin	1796	March 1995	£2,300
Violin	1814	November 1994	£1,725
Violin	1803	October 1994	£1,380
Violin	1813	June 1994	£1,265
Violin	1772	March 1994	£2,530
Violin	1800 c.	November 1993	£1,338
Violin	1801	June 1993	£1,210
Violin	1804	March 1993	£3,520
Violin	1796	November 1992	£462
Violin	1800 c.	November 1992	£990
Violin	1790	June 1992	£1,980
Violin	1800 c.	November 1991	£1,760
Violin	1780 c.	April 1991	£1,760
Cello	1800 c.	June 1988	£1,540
Cello	18--	November 1983	£4,620
Viola	39.1 cm 1824	April 1983	£1,210

Maker Overview

Life

Thomas (II) Perry (circa 1745-1818) worked in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, from approximately 1745 to 1818.

Characteristics

Prolific and Versatile Maker: Thomas (II) Perry was a prolific and versatile maker, producing plucked instruments of all kinds, various viols, and at least one double bass.
Violin Characteristics: His violins generally exhibit a Tyrolean character, with various grades of quality, some of which are of a very high standard; some examples are unpurfled.
Similarities: His work is very similar to that of Duke and other London makers.
Varnish: Two recipes for his varnish survive, both being mixtures of various resins and alcohol in different proportions, including sandarac, Venice turpentine, and seedlac.
Branding: Instruments were often branded beneath the back button with 'Perry, Dublin'.
Labels: Examples of labels include 'Made by / Thos. Perry and Wm. Wilkinson / Musical instrument Makers / No. 6 Anglesea Street. / No. 1502 Dublin, 1789' and 'Made by Thomas Perry Dublin 1767'.

Recorded labels

Often branded beneath the back button: ‘Perry, Dublin’ Made by
Thos. Perry and Wm. Wilkinson
Musical instrument Makers
No. 6 Anglesea Street.
No. 1502John Dilworth
Dublin, 1789John Dilworth
Made by Thomas Perry Dublin 1767John Dilworth

Influence and legacy

Predecessor: Thomas (II) Perry was the son and successor of Thomas Perry (I).
Pupils and Assistants: His pupils and assistants included Tregart or Deegar, whose name is signed inside at least one example, W. Ringwood, and John McNeill.
Successor Pupil: The Perry & Wilkinson shop was eventually taken over by another pupil, John Mackintosh.
Business Continuation: The business established by Thomas (II) Perry continued under the direction of his son-in-law W. Wilkinson until 1828, and was later taken over by his pupil, John Mackintosh.

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Biographies

The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

John Dilworth+

PERRY, Thomas (II) Worked circa. 1745-1818 Dublin Republic of Ireland Son and successor of Thomas Perry (I), above. Worked at Christ Church Yard until 1771 when he moved to 6 Anglesea Street. During this time he may have worked with G. Ward of Aston’s Quay, whose work is substantially similar to instruments labelled by Perry. In 1790 entered into partnership with son-in-law W. Wilkinson. The business moved to 4 Anglesea Street in 1796 and carried on under Wilkinson’s direction until 1828, ten years after the death of Perry. Pupils and assistants include one Tregart or Deegar (whose name is signed inside at least one example), W. Ringwood, and John McNeill. Perry & Wilkinson shop eventually taken over by another pupil, John Mackintosh. At various times (c.1770 and 1789) Vincenzo Panormo was active in Dublin and very possibly working for Perry. Prolific and versatile maker; production includes plucked instruments of all kinds, various viols, and at least one double bass. Violins are generally Tyrolean in general character; various grades (the best of a very high standard); some unpurfled. Very similar to the work of Duke and other London makers. Two recipes for his varnish survive, both mixtures of various resins and alcohol in different proportions, including sandarac, venice turpentine, and seedlac. Often branded beneath the back button: ‘Perry, Dublin’ Made by / Thos. Perry and Wm. Wilkinson / Musical instrument Makers / No. 6 Anglesea Street. / No. 1502 Dublin, 1789 Made by Thomas Perry Dublin 1767 [BVMA]

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