Matthew Hardie (1755 - 1826) was a giant among Scottish violin makers and he is universally accepted as being one the most important violin makers to emerge in Scotland over that period. This violin is labelled with Hardie's known label, reading 'Matthew Hardie & Son', dated 1826 and is sold with the original of a 1944 certificate of authenticity by the important Dutch violin maker, J J van de Geest (1899 - 1974).

Under very close scrutiny the last digit (handwritten) of the date appears to be a 6 rather than a 0, which means the violin was made in 1826, the last year of Hardie's life. At this stage his son, Thomas was assisting him in the workshop and this would account for the '… & son' on the label.

This is one of the very last instruments built by Matthew Hardie and it stands as a testimony of this great violin maker's mastery over every aspect of fine violin making. Right from the superb selection of materials through to the impeccable mitres and cornerwork, one sees the very finest attention to detail. The cornerwork and mitres are of the best I've ever seen. The two-piece back, ribs, neck and scroll are of beautifully flamed maple with a medium curl. The top is of fine tone spruce of medium and even grain. As to be expected, there is no neck graft but the peg holes have been rebushed. The scroll is balanced and elegant. The varnish - certainly the original - is a lovely golden light brown. The Fs are perfectly balanced and characteristic of Hardie's work.

Through its 200 years this violin has seen some repairs. All restorative work on it has been carried out to an exceptionally high level of mastery, requiring a discerning eye to notice the repairs. All internal cleating is a study in craftsmanship of the highest order. It can be assumed with great certainty that all the restoration of this violin was carried out by J J van de Geest, who for 20 years was the studio foreman and master craftsman for George Hart & Sons in London, from 1918 until he settled in Johannesburg in 1938. Van de Geest commanded huge respect for his workmanship and wrote this violin's certificate of authenticity, dated 1944 (although he misread the true date, 1826, for 1820).

This violin speaks with clarity and power, producing a very clean and focused tone, rich and with projection. Not only is this a superb violin by all standards, but a collector's piece and serious investment as this may well have been the last violin produced by Matthew Hardie.

Dimensions :
	Length of back: 35.8 cm

Condition :
	Structurally this violin is in superb condition. It has been subject to considerable restoration, carried out to the highest level of workmanship. All cracks have been fully secured by internal cleats. It can be stated with confidence that this violin is structurally completely secured.

Provenance :
	Withheld

Price :

On request