Alfred Warrick
1890–1962
Alfred WARRICK (1863-?) was a British violin maker born in Reading. He apprenticed with G. A. Chanot in Manchester, later establishing workshops in Leeds and Bradford. Warrick was known for his precise copies of Stradivari and Guarneri models, utilizing excellent wood and his own four-color varnish. He received a gold medal at the 1895 Leeds International Exhibition for his violins.
Maker Overview
Life
Alfred WARRICK (1863-?) was born at Reading on October 9, 1863. He served an apprenticeship with G. A. Chanot of Manchester, with sources providing conflicting accounts of its duration; William Meredith Morris states a six-year period from 1884 to 1890, while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff indicates he worked for Chanot for eight years before opening his own workshop in 1889. Henri Poidras also notes him as a pupil of Chanot, with whom he worked for many years. Warrick established workshops at 61 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, and at 24 Church Bank, Bradford.
Characteristics
- Models
- Alfred Warrick worked on various models, primarily those of Stradivari and Guarneri.
- Working Style
- He was a close copyist, focusing his energy on the exact reproduction of outline, arching, depth, and thicknesses of original instruments, rather than attempting original designs or modifications.
- Materials
- Warrick utilized excellent wood in his instrument construction.
- Finish
- His work is described as beautifully finished throughout.
- Varnish
- He composed his own varnish, available in four colors: golden yellow, reddish yellow, brown red, and ruby. This varnish shared characteristics with that traditionally associated with the house of Chanot.
- Production and Repairs
- Warrick produced a large number of instruments, both large and small, and also undertook extensive repair work.
Influence and legacy
- Apprenticeship: Alfred Warrick served an apprenticeship with G. A. Chanot of Manchester.
- Mentorship: He was a pupil of Chanot, working with him for a significant period.
- Awards: Alfred Warrick was awarded the sole gold medal at the Leeds International Exhibition in 1895 for his exhibit of violins.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
WARRICK, Alfred Born 1890 Leeds, died 1962 Ealing, London UK. Pupil and successor of Albert E. Warrick, above. Moved to London to work for Dykes & Son from 1923. Established independently in Ealing that same year. [Woodcock]
William Meredith Morris+
He was born at Reading, Oct. 9, 1863, and has his workshops at 61 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, and at 24 Church Bank, Bradford. He served a six-years’ apprenticeship, from 1884 to 1890, with G. A. Chanot of Manchester. He works on various models, but chiefly on those of Stradivari and Guarneri. He does not attempt to work on original lines, or to modify the model in any way ; he is a close copyist, and concentrates all his energy upon the exact reproduction of outline, arching, depth, thicknesses, &c., of the originals. He uses excellent wood, and the work is beautifully finished throughout. The varnish is his own composition, made in four colours, golden yellow, reddish yellow, brown red, and ruby. It has much the same characteristics as the varnish traditionally associated with the house of Chanot. Warrick has made a large number of instruments, big and small, and he also repairs extensively. He was awarded the sole gold medal at the Leeds International Exhibition, 1895, for an exhibit of violins. His price for violins is twelve and fifteen guineas, and for violoncellos twenty.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Nachdem er acht Jahre bei Chanot gearbeitet hatte, eröffnete er 1889 seine eigene Werkstatt und erhielt auf der Internationalen Ausstellung in Leeds 1895 eine goldene Medaille.
Henri Poidras+
Pupil of Chanot with whom he worked for many years. Modern make of value. Classic model. His work attracted notice at the Leeds Exhibition of 1895, where he was awarded a prize.
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Family
Allan Warrick Son