Richard (II) Duke

History

Richard (II) Duke (circa. 1764-1792) worked in London, UK, and was the son and pupil of Richard Duke (I). According to The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers by John Dilworth, his earliest authenticated work gives his address as 'near the Eagle in Eagle Street'. By 1773, he used the same address as his father in Holborn, but by 1777, he had moved to Great Ormond Street. John Dilworth also notes that the terms of Richard (I)'s will indicate an estrangement between father and son, resulting in Richard (II) not benefiting from the family business. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart, states that Richard (II) had little talent and eventually fell into such decline that he had to make a living as a peddler with his roughly worked violins.

Craft

• Workmanship: Instruments produced by Richard (II) Duke were considered inferior to his father's, as noted by William Meredith Morris in British Violin Makers. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff describes his violins as 'roh gearbeiteten Geigen' (roughly worked violins), indicating his lack of talent.
• Models: He supplied cheaper quality trade work on the old Stainer model, featuring painted purfling and a very full arch, according to John Dilworth.
• Labeling: William Meredith Morris states that he usually left his instruments unlabelled.

Influence

• Mentorship: Richard (II) Duke was the son and pupil of Richard Duke (I), a fact corroborated by John Dilworth, William Meredith Morris, and Cecie Stainer in A Dictionary of Violin Makers.

Further Information

• Addresses: His early address was 'near the Eagle in Eagle Street', later moving to his father's address in Holborn in 1773, and by 1777, he was located in Great Ormond Street, as detailed by John Dilworth.
• Branding: He branded his instruments similarly to his father, often near the button on the back, sometimes adding 'London' below, as mentioned by Cecie Stainer. John Dilworth notes an example of his branding as 'Duke, Junr. / London 1771'.
• Sales: Some of his instruments were sold by J. & J. Simpson, according to John Dilworth.

Summary

Richard (II) Duke, active from circa 1764 to 1792 in London, was the son and pupil of the elder Richard Duke. Despite his training, he was considered an inferior craftsman, producing cheaper quality instruments often based on the Stainer model with painted purfling. He experienced estrangement from his family business and eventually resorted to selling roughly worked violins, having brought the Duke name into disrepute due to his lack of talent.