Joseph. Ruddiman

History

Joseph. RUDDIMAN (1729-1810). According to John Dilworth, he was born in 1729 in Monquhitter and died in 1810 in Aberdeen, Scotland UK. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that he was the son of a carpenter and likely learned the same trade in his youth, but turned to violin making early, becoming the best Scottish violin maker before Matthew Hardie. He was active in Aberdeen from 1757, as noted by John Dilworth. Cecie Stainer records that he was working in Aberdeen in 1769.

Craft

• Models: His early violins were made after Stainer; later, he freely imitated a large Stradivari model, as noted by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff. John Dilworth describes his instruments as often following an Amati/Stainer model and being unpurfled, featuring an idiosyncratic head with a small volute and an extended throat.
• Later Work: John Dilworth adds that his later work was slightly more sophisticated, exhibiting an appearance similar to Duke or early Forster instruments, with red varnish, a flatter arch, and more often purfled.
• Materials: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff observed that his wood was good, but the varnish was poor, appearing dark grey or almost black and no longer allowing the wood to shimmer through.
• Workmanship: Lütgendorff also noted that while he often deviated from Italian prototypes in wood thicknesses, the work was quite good, and the tone was usually fine.
• Instruments Produced: He made violins, violas, cellos, zithers, and guitars, according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
• Labeling: His label was surrounded by emblems depicting musical instruments, as described by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
• Branding: Some instruments were branded 'J.R.F.A.' Ruddiman / 17 Maker 76 / Aberdeen, according to John Dilworth, citing Rattray.
• Inscriptions: Cecie Stainer mentions a cither with inlaid wood ornamentation bearing the inscription: "Rudiman, A. B. Dn, D. G."

Influence

• Training: John Dilworth suggests he was probably a pupil of R. Duncan.
• School: He is identified by John Dilworth as the most prolific maker of the Aberdeen School.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: He was active in Aberdeen from 1757, as stated by John Dilworth.
• Output: His prolific output of all types of stringed instruments is considered similar to that of Perry in Dublin, according to John Dilworth.