Archibald RITCHIE

Highest auction price achieved
£ 1058.00

By William Meredith Morris

He was born at Woodend, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Oct. 3, 1833, and died in Dundee in 1902, of blood-poisoning. He made over one hundred and fifty violins of excellent workmanship and tone on the model of a large Joseph Guarnerius. The work is thoroughly British in character — sober and solid. In some instances he slightly exaggerated the proportions of Del Gesu, but the result is never displeasing, the artistic sense being too highly developed in Ritchie to tolerate anything bordering on the grotesque. He used Whitelaw's varnish, mostly of a red, or golden red colour. He was in the front rank of modern Scottish makers, and his beautiful work will be highly valued in the future.

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Price History

Type Title Sold Price
Violin 1883 Wed 1st May 02 £ 673.00
Violin 1895 Sat 1st October 94 £ 1058.00
Violin 1880 Wed 1st June 88 £ 352.00

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