Archibald Morrison

History

Archibald Morrison (1820-1895) was born in Falkirk, Scotland, in 1820 and died in Glasgow in 1895. He was the son of a blind fiddler and was himself a skilled violinist. After various career changes, he became a violin maker. According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, he worked for Alexander Mann in 1860, while John Dilworth states he worked for John Mann from 1860. Morrison established his own workshop independently from 1865.

Craft

• Models: His early violins were made after Amati and Stradivari models, later concentrating on Guarneri models.
• Workmanship: His instruments were described by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff as 'no masterpieces, but quite good in tone'. John Dilworth noted his work as very detailed and conscientious, though sometimes a little heavy.
• Materials: He used good materials and varnish, but often employed heavy-grained local pine for the tops of his instruments.
• Labels: Examples of his labels include 'ARCHIBALD MORRISON, MAKER, GLASGOW, 1875' and 'Archibald Morrison / Violin Maker. / Glasgow. 1891'.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: He worked in Great Hamilton Street, Glasgow, where he had a violin shop. Some examples of his work were also labelled from Bridgetown, Glasgow.
• Social Hub: His shop was a popular meeting place for fiddle enthusiasts and players, who were known in Glasgow as 'Morrison's Band'.

Summary

Archibald Morrison (1820-1895) was a Scottish violin maker born in Falkirk and active in Glasgow. Initially working for others, he established his own workshop in 1865. He crafted violins, initially following Amati and Stradivari models before concentrating on Guarneri, using good materials and known for detailed, conscientious work, though sometimes heavy. His instruments were noted for their good tone. His Glasgow workshop was a popular meeting place for local fiddle enthusiasts.