The Hill Dynasty

Today, we take a look some instruments and bows by members of the great Hill dynasty, a family whose influence on British violin making cannot be understated. 

We start with a fantastically high-quality violin by Lockey Hill, a second generation member of the family. Lockey Hill is a fascinating maker: his instruments for the London trade are relatively commercial, but occasionally you see much finer work too. His hanging for the crime of horse theft has made it into violin lore, but leaves us with the sadness that someone whose work is so highly prized nowadays had to resort to crime. 

Tim then plays a late W.E. Hill and Sons violin from 1988, made once the workshop had relocated to Great Missenden. By the time this violin was made, the Hill workshop had been going for more than a century, training its new recruits in a rigorous system that led to incredibly high standards. This system was central to the development of British violin and bow making for generations.

Tim pairs the first violin with a bow by William Johnston for W.E. and Sons made around 1920. The second violin is paired with a Hill bow from about ten years later.

Finally, there's also a sneak peek at a very exciting cello we have for sale by Lockey Hill's son, Henry Lockey Hlil.