Violin for Hawkes and Sons, Mirecourt, 1894
This violin has now sold.
About Hawkes and Sons
Hawkes and Sons were a highly-successful British company active from 1865. The firm published sheet music and sold instruments, some of which were made in their workshop in Edgware, North London. Like most big retailers, they imported instruments from a wide range of European workshops and sold them at different grades: these included extremely fine instruments and bows. Hawkes and Sons merged with Boosey & Company to become Boosey & Hawkes in 1930.
About the violin
This violin was made in Mirecourt for Hawkes and Sons in 1894. It is a particularly fine example of Mirecourt work of the period: the 'Professor' line was one the top-quality offerings of the Hawkes firm.
The violin has a two piece back of highly-figured maple with ribs and scroll to match. The front is two pieces of straight-grained spruce which widens significantly towards the flanks. The varnish is an attractive amber-brown, laid over a lighter golden ground.
The violin has a length of back of 359 mm.
How does it sound?
This is an exceptionally good violin! It is rich and even, projecting brilliantly without the sound ever becoming thin. This is a flexible, responsive instrument which is a real pleasure to play.
Condition
The violin is in very good condition.