Anthony John Moore

History

Anthony John Moore (1852-1905) was the eldest son of the late Captain Thomas Moore, who was well known in the Indian and China trades. He received his education at the academy of the Rev. William Parks in Ravensworth Terrace, Monkwearmouth, and also at the schools of Mr. James Cameron in North Bridge Street and Mr. John Cameron in Blandford Street, all in the same locality. By profession, he was an artist, specializing as a painter of the sea and tidal rivers. According to William Meredith Morris in British Violin Makers, approximately fifteen years before the book's publication (around 1904-1905), he encountered the work of Hart on the violin, which deeply impressed him and led to his fascination with the instrument. He made his first violin in 1886 and subsequently produced a considerable number. John Dilworth, in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, notes that Moore was born in 1852 in Monkwearmouth and worked circa 1886-1905 in Sunderland, UK. He dedicated much of his leisure time to experimenting and meticulously working out the geometrical construction of the instrument, aiming to produce "fiddles that will be representative of all that is excellent in the modern school."

Craft

• Construction: The one instrument examined by William Meredith Morris was beautifully made, exhibiting a large and telling tone.
• Model: Its outline and arching were based on the Joseph model, slightly modified. John Dilworth also notes a Stradivari derived model.
• Materials: The wood of the front table was described as an "extraordinary piece of timber," appearing fresh despite its "great age."
• Scroll: The scroll was nicely carved, though it possessed "more of the feminine characteristics than is perhaps allowable in copies of Joseph."
• Details: The button was "prim and prop," the margin of medium width, and the edges gently rounded. The sound-holes were characterized as "piquant and expressive."
• Varnish: An oil varnish of Mr. Moore's own composition, with a golden yellow colour.
• Tone: The tone of the examined instrument was "perfectly clear and responsive in all the positions," with harmonics "as crisp as the jingle of frozen rush blown by the breath of winter."
• Label: An example label reads: "Anthony John Moore / Sunderland. Fecit anno 1899 / Table made of wood 200 years old./ No. 11."

Influence

• Training: Anthony John Moore was a self-taught amateur violin maker, as noted by John Dilworth.
• Inspiration: His interest in violin making was sparked by encountering the work of Hart on the violin, which deeply impressed him with its many illustrations.

Further Information

• Location: He worked in Sunderland, UK.
• Research: He spent considerable leisure time experimenting and working out the geometrical construction of the instrument.

Summary

Anthony John Moore (1852-1905) was a British artist and self-taught amateur violin maker from Monkwearmouth, who worked in Sunderland, UK, from approximately 1886 to 1905. Initially a painter, he became enamoured with violin making after encountering the work of Hart, producing his first instrument in 1886. Moore dedicated himself to experimenting with the geometrical construction of violins, aiming for excellence in the modern school. His instruments, such as one examined by William Meredith Morris, were noted for their beautiful craftsmanship, modified Joseph or Stradivari-derived models, and a clear, responsive tone, often finished with his own golden yellow oil varnish.