The shop is closed from the 23rd of December until the 3rd of January for the Festive Season
Violin by James Briggs, Glasgow, 1899
About James Briggs
James Briggs was born in Wakefield in 1855 and was apprenticed to William Tarr of Manchester, a maker who is now particularly known for his double basses. Briggs set up his own workshop in Wakefield in 1876 but business was slow. Things improved when Briggs was awarded a gold medal at the Leeds Exhibition in 1890 and thereafter also received diplomas for his work in Paris and Vienna.
Following these successes, Briggs and his family relocated to Glasgow in 1893. Briggs appears to have chosen Glasgow for business reasons: by this date the great Glaswegian dealer David Laurie was reaching the end of his career. The move was a shrewd decision as the Briggs workshop flourished for over half a century.
Briggs worked up until 1931 and died four years later, leaving his workshop to his son Harry. The workshop continued to trade until 1949.
About the violin
This violin was made in Glasgow in 1899 and is modelled after the instruments of Guarneri 'del Gesù'. The label tells us that Briggs took inspiration from Paganini's 'Il Canonne' violin of 1743.
The violin has a one piece back of attractive quarter-sawn maple with ribs and scroll of similar wood. The one piece front is of straight-grained spruce and the varnish is a very successful shaded golden-amber.
The violin has a length of back of 358 mm.
How does it sound?
This violin has a punchy, vibrant character. It has a robust, full voice, and is very flexible too. Briggs is a superb maker: his instruments almost always play brilliantly and compare very well to his European counterparts.
Condition
The violin is in very good condition with some historic restoration.
Further information
Please get in touch for more details about this antique Scottish violin by James Briggs for sale and a member of our team will get back to you.