Thomas (II) Perry
Dublin, worked 1745–1818
Thomas (II) Perry (circa 1745-1818) was a prominent Dublin-based luthier, son and successor to Thomas Perry (I).He worked from Christ Church Yard before moving to Anglesea Street, eventually partnering with his son-in-law W. Wilkinson.Known for his prolific and versatile output, he crafted various plucked instruments, viols, and violins, the latter often exhibiting a Tyrolean character and sometimes unpurfled.His workshop employed several pupils, including Tregart or Deegar, W. Ringwood, John McNeill, and later John Mackintosh, who eventually took over the business.Perry's instruments were often branded 'Perry, Dublin', and two of his varnish recipes are known to survive.
Instruments
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
43 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Lot 102 | Bonhams | August 2026 | £4,750 |
| Violin | Unlabelled, branded Perry, Dublin, few worm holes in scroll, repairs to table, sound post crack in table Lot 258 | Brompton's | January 2020 | £3,120est. £ 1,500-2,200 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Dublin, 1770 c. | — | January 2011 | £4,800 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Dublin, 1820 c. (in need of restoration) | — | January 2009 | £313 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Dublin, 1824 | — | January 2009 | £1,112 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Dublin, 1790 c. bearing original neck | — | January 2009 | £1,200 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Dublin, 1806 (restorations) | — | January 2009 | £3,120 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Dublin, 1773 | — | January 2008 | £3,750 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Dublin, 1813 | — | January 2007 | £560 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Dublin, 1815 | — | January 2006 | £5,052 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Dublin, 1790 c. | — | January 2006 | £542 |
| Violin | Dublin, 1815 | — | January 2005 | £1,920 |
| Violin | Dublin, 1809 | — | January 2004 | £4,200 |
| Violin | 1790 | — | January 2003 | £1,645 |
| Violin | 1790 | — | January 2002 | £690 |
| Violin | 1816 | — | January 2002 | £1,400 |
| Violin | 1823 | — | January 2000 | £3,120 |
| Violin | 1804 | — | January 1998 | £1,840 |
| Violin | 1820 | — | January 1998 | £1,322 |
| Violin | 1813 | — | January 1998 | £2,425 |
| Viola | 39.1 cm 1785 | — | January 1997 | £4,083 |
| Violin | 1810 c. | — | January 1997 | £608 |
| Violin | 1803 | — | January 1997 | £632 |
| Violin | 1791 | — | January 1996 | £1,203 |
| Violin | 1813 | — | January 1995 | £1,736 |
| Violin | 1804 | — | January 1995 | £483 |
| Violin | 1808 | — | January 1995 | £1,380 |
| Violin | 1796 | — | January 1995 | £2,300 |
| Violin | 1814 | — | January 1994 | £1,725 |
| Violin | 1803 | — | January 1994 | £1,380 |
| Violin | 1813 | — | January 1994 | £1,265 |
| Violin | 1772 | — | January 1994 | £2,530 |
| Violin | 1800 c. | — | January 1993 | £1,338 |
| Violin | 1801 | — | January 1993 | £1,210 |
| Violin | 1804 | — | January 1993 | £3,520 |
| Violin | 1796 | — | January 1992 | £462 |
| Violin | 1800 c. | — | January 1992 | £990 |
| Violin | 1790 | — | January 1992 | £1,980 |
| Violin | 1800 c. | — | January 1991 | £1,760 |
| Violin | 1780 c. | — | January 1991 | £1,760 |
| Cello | 1800 c. | — | January 1988 | £1,540 |
| Cello | 18-- | — | January 1983 | £4,620 |
| Viola | 39.1 cm 1824 | — | January 1983 | £1,210 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Thomas (II) Perry (circa 1745-1818) worked in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, from approximately 1745 to 1818.
He was the son and successor of Thomas Perry (I).
Initially, he worked at Christ Church Yard until 1771, after which he relocated to 6 Anglesea Street.
During this period, he may have collaborated with G. Ward of Aston's Quay, whose work exhibits substantial similarities to instruments bearing Perry's labels.
In 1790, he formed a partnership with his son-in-law, W. Wilkinson.
The business moved to 4 Anglesea Street in 1796 and continued under Wilkinson's direction until 1828, ten years after Perry's death.
Vincenzo Panormo was active in Dublin at various times, around 1770 and 1789, and it is very possible he worked for Perry.
Characteristics
- Prolific and Versatile Maker
- Thomas (II) Perry was a prolific and versatile maker, producing plucked instruments of all kinds, various viols, and at least one double bass.
- Violin Characteristics
- His violins generally exhibit a Tyrolean character, with various grades of quality, some of which are of a very high standard; some examples are unpurfled.
- Similarities
- His work is very similar to that of Duke and other London makers.
- Varnish
- Two recipes for his varnish survive, both being mixtures of various resins and alcohol in different proportions, including sandarac, Venice turpentine, and seedlac.
- Branding
- Instruments were often branded beneath the back button with 'Perry, Dublin'.
- Labels
- Examples of labels include 'Made by / Thos. Perry and Wm. Wilkinson / Musical instrument Makers / No. 6 Anglesea Street. / No. 1502 Dublin, 1789' and 'Made by Thomas Perry Dublin 1767'.
- Often branded beneath the back button: ‘Perry, Dublin’ Made by
Thos. Perry and Wm. Wilkinson
Musical instrument Makers
No. 6 Anglesea Street.
No. 1502John Dilworth - Dublin, 1789John Dilworth
- Made by Thomas Perry Dublin 1767John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Predecessor: Thomas (II) Perry was the son and successor of Thomas Perry (I).
- Pupils and Assistants: His pupils and assistants included Tregart or Deegar, whose name is signed inside at least one example, W. Ringwood, and John McNeill.
- Successor Pupil: The Perry & Wilkinson shop was eventually taken over by another pupil, John Mackintosh.
- Business Continuation: The business established by Thomas (II) Perry continued under the direction of his son-in-law W. Wilkinson until 1828, and was later taken over by his pupil, John Mackintosh.
Further Information
- Addresses: Thomas (II) Perry worked at Christ Church Yard until 1771, then at 6 Anglesea Street, and later the business moved to 4 Anglesea Street in 1796.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
PERRY, Thomas (II) Worked circa. 1745-1818 Dublin Republic of Ireland Son and successor of Thomas Perry (I), above. Worked at Christ Church Yard until 1771 when he moved to 6 Anglesea Street. During this time he may have worked with G. Ward of Aston’s Quay, whose work is substantially similar to instruments labelled by Perry. In 1790 entered into partnership with son-in-law W. Wilkinson. The business moved to 4 Anglesea Street in 1796 and carried on under Wilkinson’s direction until 1828, ten years after the death of Perry. Pupils and assistants include one Tregart or Deegar (whose name is signed inside at least one example), W. Ringwood, and John McNeill. Perry & Wilkinson shop eventually taken over by another pupil, John Mackintosh. At various times (c.1770 and 1789) Vincenzo Panormo was active in Dublin and very possibly working for Perry. Prolific and versatile maker; production includes plucked instruments of all kinds, various viols, and at least one double bass. Violins are generally Tyrolean in general character; various grades (the best of a very high standard); some unpurfled. Very similar to the work of Duke and other London makers. Two recipes for his varnish survive, both mixtures of various resins and alcohol in different proportions, including sandarac, venice turpentine, and seedlac. Often branded beneath the back button: ‘Perry, Dublin’ Made by / Thos. Perry and Wm. Wilkinson / Musical instrument Makers / No. 6 Anglesea Street. / No. 1502 Dublin, 1789 Made by Thomas Perry Dublin 1767 [BVMA]
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