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    Amati > Makers Archive > R > Arthur Richardson

    Table of Contents

    Arthur Richardson

    Crediton, Devon, 1882–1965

    Self-taught violin maker. One of the finest 20th century English makers. Initial career as an architectural wood carver in Leeds. Established professionally as a violin maker from 1915 in Crediton. — John Dilworth
    Worked Crediton, Devon
    Made Cello, Viola, Violin, Violin Bow
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    Viola by Arthur Richardson, Devon, 1943 — front
    360°
    Viola by Arthur Richardson, Devon, 1943. Sold by Amati. Measurements and detail photographs →

    Instruments

    Auction Price History

    Highest auction price

    £9,732

    86 results

    Type Details Auction house Sold Price
    ViolaA viola by Arthur Richardson, Devon, 1943 Lot 37AmatiApril 2026£3,792est. £ 3,000-5,000
    ViolaTertis model, two-piece back, varnish of a plum red colour on a golden ground Lot 3465Gardiner HoulgateJune 2025£4,636est. £ 1,500-2,500
    ViolinA violin by Arthur Richardson, Crediton, 1923 Lot 134AmatiOctober 2024£2,275est. £ 1,800-2,500
    ViolinA violin by Arthur Richardson, Crediton, 1929 Lot 136AmatiOctober 2024£5,056est. £ 4,000-6,000
    ViolaLabelled R. T. Viola Tertis model, made by Arthur Richardson, Crediton Devon Lot 15—May 2024£5,159est. € 3.000-5.000
    ViolaTertis model, labelled and inscribed R.T. N° 86 Tertis Model, Made by Arthur Richardson Crediton ... Lot 220Ingles & HaydayOctober 2023£4,200est. £ 4,000-6,000
    ViolaTertis model, labelled Made by Arthur Richardson T. T. Viola - No. 168 Crediton, Devon 1961 Lot 35TarisioMarch 2022£4,356est. $ 3,000-5,000
    ViolinTwo-piece back of medium broad curl, varnish of a plum red colour on a golden ground Lot 2466Gardiner HoulgateDecember 2020£4,800est. £ 2,000-3,000
    ViolaTertis model, labelled R. T. Viola no. 166 Tertis Model, Made by Arthur Richardson, Crediton, Devon ... Lot 47TarisioNovember 2020£4,900est. $ 4,000-6,000
    ViolaA viola by Arthur Richardson, Crediton, 1951 Lot 76AmatiOctober 2020£5,372est. £ 500-1,000
    ViolaTertis model, labelled Made by Arthur Richardson Crediton, Devon 1945 Lot 134Ingles & HaydayOctober 2019£5,400est. £ 4,500-6,000
    ViolaLabelled No. 15, This viola is specially designed in collaboration with Mr. Lionel ... Lot 155Brompton’sDecember 2018£4,720est. £ 4,000-6,000
    ViolaTwo-piece back of medium fine curl, varnish of a deep reddish brown colour on a golden ground Lot 2460Gardiner HoulgateDecember 2018£4,320est. £ 2,500-3,500
    ViolinTwo-piece back of faint medium curl, varnish of a light reddish-brown colour on a golden ground Lot 1515Gardiner HoulgateJune 2018£2,880est. £ 1,500-2,000
    ViolaLabelled R. T. Viola No. 120 Tertis Model, Made by Arthur Richardson, Crediton, Devon. 1954, signed Lot 40TarisioMay 2018£9,732est. $ 6,000-9,000
    ViolaLabelled This viola is specially designed in collaboration with ... Lot 149Brompton’sDecember 2017£5,280est. £ 2,000-3,000
    ViolinLabelled N° 230 Made by Arthur Richardson Crediton. Devon. 1936, signed internally on the back Lot 103Ingles & HaydayOctober 2017£3,120est. £ 3,000-5,000
    ViolaTertis model, one-piece back of faint broad curl, varnish of a reddish colour on a golden ground Lot 56Gardiner HoulgateOctober 2017£2,160est. £ 2,000-3,000
    ViolaLabelled R. T. Viola No 132 ... Lot 138Brompton’sOctober 2016£4,200est. £ 2,500-3,500
    ViolinLabelled Made by Arthur Richardson, Crediton, Devon 1936 No.234, signed and dated internally Lot 90Ingles & HaydayMarch 2016£2,880est. £ 3,000-4,000
    ViolaLabelled Made by Arthur Richardson ... for A.J. Stevens, Torquay 2/8/29, Crediton, Devon Lot 134Brompton’sNovember 2015£9,600est. £ 8,000-12,000
    ViolaLabelled Made by Arthur Richardson Crediton, Devon, 1938, no. 25 viola Lot 160Ingles & HaydayNovember 2015£4,200est. £ 3,000-5,000
    Violin Lot 194BonhamsMay 2015£2
    ViolinLabelled and signed internally by the maker, lightly craquelled varnish of a red colour Lot 194BonhamsMay 2015£2,250est. £ 2,000-3,000
    ViolinBearing an original label, signed on the label Lot 250Brompton’sOctober 2014£3,360est. £ 2,000-4,000
    ViolinBearing an original label, signed on the label, numbered 140 Lot 295Brompton’sOctober 2014£2,640est. £ 1,500-2,000
    ViolinLabelled Made by Arthur Richardson, Crediton, Devon, No. 292, 1962, inscribed to the inside back Lot 294TarisioDecember 2013£4,397est. $ 3,000-5,000
    ViolaTertis model, labelled Made by Arthur Richardson, R. T. Viola - No. 168, Crediton, Devon, 1961 Lot 56TarisioJune 2013£2,320est. $ 3,000-5,000
    ViolaLabelled R. T. Viola No. 146, Tertis model, Made by Arthur Richardson, Crediton, Devon, 1957 Lot 79TarisioNovember 2012£3,745est. $ 6,000-9,000
    Violin35.3 cm Crediton, 1927 n°123—December 2011£3,840
    Violin35.6 cm Devon, 1920—October 2011£2,300
    Violin35.7 cm 1921—March 2011£2,400
    Violin35.7 cm Crediton, 1920—December 2010£1,080
    Viola43.0 cm Crediton, 1952 'Tertis' model—December 2010£2,280
    Violin35.7 cm Devon, 1928—March 2010£3,220
    Violin35.4 cm Devon, 1928—March 2010£4,370
    Violin35.6 cm Devon, 1934—March 2010£5,060
    Violin35.5 cm Crediton, 1924—October 2009£3,600
    Viola42.7 cm Devon, 1960 'Tertis' model—March 2009£2,340
    Violin35.3 cm Crediton, 1926—June 2008£5,187
    Viola42.7 cm Devon, 1953 'Tertis' model—May 2005£2,442
    ViolinDevon, 1926—May 2005£2,137
    Viola42.5 cm 1947—November 2003£3,120
    Violin1942—September 2003£3,643
    Violin1924—November 2002£2,760
    Violin1923—June 2000£2,185
    Cello1919—June 2000£9,200
    Violin1936—March 2000£5,520
    Violin1940—March 2000£4,025
    Violin BowG/T 65 g.—December 1999£827
    Violin1919—November 1999£3,500
    Violin1926—November 1999£2,800
    Cello1926—March 1999£3,335
    Violin1944—November 1998£4,600
    Violin1927—October 1997£3,450
    Viola42.9 cm 1945—May 1997£1,380
    Violin1927—June 1996£3,335
    Violin1934—June 1996£5,060
    Violin1935—March 1996£4,600
    Violin1928—November 1995£2,760
    Violin19--—June 1995£1,380
    Violin1932—November 1994£3,220
    Violin1927—June 1994£2,640
    Violin1936—March 1994£3,220
    Viola42.9 cm 1947—March 1994£2,070
    Violin1932—November 1993£2,970
    Viola42.9 cm 1945—October 1993£1,840
    Viola42.5 cm 1951—February 1993£1,100
    Viola42.5 cm 1954—September 1992£1,320
    Violin1923—July 1992£2,420
    Viola42.5 cm 1938—June 1992£1,870
    Viola41.3 cm 1924—March 1991£715
    Cello1921—November 1990£4,950
    Viola42.5 cm 1948—November 1990£1,650
    Viola42.5 cm 1952—November 1989£2,970
    Viola42.9 cm 1945—March 1989£1,540
    Viola42.9 cm 1939—March 1989£1,320
    Viola41.3 cm 1938—July 1988£2,640
    Viola42.9 cm 1951—March 1988£1,155
    Viola41.3 cm 1934—November 1986£2,200
    Viola42.9 cm 1946—March 1986£1,134
    Cello1934—July 1985£3,520
    Viola42.5 cm 1950—April 1984£650
    Cello1929—April 1983£1,026
    Viola42.5 cm 1948—November 1982£863
    Cello1937—March 1981£2,722
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    Biographies

    The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

    John Dilworth+

    RICHARDSON, Arthur Born 1882 Stavely, Derbyshire, died 1965 Crediton, Devon UK. Self-taught violin maker. One of the finest 20th century English makers. Initial career as an architectural wood carver in Leeds. Established professionally as a violin maker from 1915 in Crediton. Copies of the Stradivari ‘Alard’, ‘Tuscan’, and ‘Betts’ violins, and the Guarneri del Gesù ‘King Joseph’ and ‘Sainton’ violins. Also a Stradivari-derived personal pattern. Associated with Lionel Tertis in developing the ‘Tertis model’ viola, temporarily successful but presently out of favour. Awarded first prize in the Cobbett Competition 1919 for a violin and quartet. Worked with a chemist named Millington at Borrowwash, Derby to develop a fine clear and well-coloured varnish, which was subsequently sold commercially with considerable success. Completed 177 Tertis violas, 30 conventional altos, 291 violins and 28 cellos. Awarded the M.B.E in 1961. No.. Made by / Arthur Richardson / Crediton. Devon

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    Crediton School

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