David Stirrat

History

David Stirrat (1768-1826) was born in Ayrshire in 1768. He lived in Glasgow from 1794 until 1811, establishing himself as a violin maker in Edinburgh from 1811. His workshop was initially located at 210 High Street, moving to the Head of Fleshmarket Close from 1816, and then to 105 High Street from 1823, according to John Dilworth. William Meredith Morris notes that Stirrat died at an early age, a sentiment echoed by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, who believed Stirrat would have surpassed his teacher had he not died prematurely. Sources indicate his working period in Edinburgh as 1811-1826 (Dilworth), 1810-1820 (Lütgendorff), and about 1810-1815 (Cecie Stainer). William Meredith Morris, despite never having seen an example of Stirrat's work, states that reliable accounts describe his instruments as genuine works of art, though few specimens likely remain due to his early death.

Craft

• Workmanship: David Stirrat's instruments are characterized by their very characterful work on Stradivari models, featuring a good low arch, as noted by John Dilworth.
• Scrolls: The scrolls are described as slightly oval along the line of the pegbox, with the turns being a little cramped and lightly chamfered.
• Materials: Materials used were generally quite plain.
• Varnish: John Dilworth describes the varnish as quite rich textured and predominantly red-brown. However, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff mentions that Stirrat used a "gelben Spirituslack" (yellow spirit varnish), indicating conflicting information regarding the varnish color.
• Quality: His instruments were considered good, according to Cecie Stainer.

Influence

• Mentorship: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff identifies David Stirrat as a student of Matthew Hardie, suggesting that Stirrat was a talented violin maker who would have surpassed his teacher if he had not died prematurely.
• Style: Stirrat's work strongly resembles Hardie's, yet it possesses many unique characteristics.
• Collaboration/Relationship: John Dilworth notes that at least one violin labeled by M. Hardie has been found signed internally by Stirrat, though nothing further is known about their specific relationship.

Legacy

• Rarity: Due to his early death, William Meredith Morris suggests that only a few specimens of David Stirrat's work likely remain.
• Potential: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff believed that Stirrat had the talent to surpass his teacher, Matthew Hardie, had he lived longer.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: In Edinburgh, David Stirrat's workshop was initially at 210 High Street, then from 1816 at the Head of Fleshmarket Close, and from 1823 at 105 High Street.
• Internal Signatures: Instruments were signed internally.
• Labels: Examples of labels include "D. Stirbat fecit Edinburgh, 1812" (Stainer) and "D. Stirrat Fecit / Edinburgh 1810 [Rattray]" (Dilworth).

Summary

David Stirrat (1768-1826) was a Scottish violin maker who worked in Edinburgh from 1811, having previously lived in Glasgow. A student of Matthew Hardie, his instruments are noted for their characterful work on Stradivari models, distinctive scrolls, and a rich varnish, though sources conflict on its color. Despite his early death, his work was considered of good quality, and he was believed to have the potential to surpass his teacher.