James Christie

History

James Christie (1857-1930) was born on December 1, 1857, in Arbroath, Scotland. An engineer by profession, he pursued violin making out of passion, commencing his work around 1889. He worked in Dundee, Scotland, from approximately 1895 to 1930. According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, he had produced about two dozen violins by the time of Lütgendorff's writing.

Craft

• Models: Christie's instruments were loosely modelled on the designs of Stradivari and Guarneri, often with considerable modifications reflecting his own conceptions.
• Materials & Varnish: Sources contain conflicting information regarding materials and varnish. John Dilworth notes the use of poor materials and a dark orange-brown varnish. In contrast, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff mentions that Christie used a red oil varnish. William Meredith Morris describes the varnishing as excellent.
• Workmanship: Similarly, there is conflicting information regarding workmanship. While John Dilworth implies issues with materials, William Meredith Morris states that the workmanship was excellent.
• Tone: William Meredith Morris characterized the tone of Christie's instruments as large and brilliant.
• Construction: The plates of his violins were left very thick but were carefully graduated. Morris also suggested that Christie's instruments would improve in quality with age and use.

Influence

• Tradition: James Christie drew inspiration from the classical Italian tradition, specifically modelling his instruments on the works of Stradivari and Guarneri.

Further Information

• Labels: Examples of his labels include "James Christie / Dundee / March 19.. no.34" as noted by John Dilworth. William Meredith Morris records a label stating "1892, JAMES CHRISTIE, VIOLIN-MAKER, DUNDEE", with the date being handwritten.
• Technical Characteristics: His instruments are noted for having very thick, yet carefully graduated, plates.