Bert Smith
Coniston, 1910–1973
Apprenticed as a motor engineer in Bowness. Began violin making as a self-taught amateur 1938. Later employed as an engineer at the slate quarries of Coniston and from 1958 worked full-time as a luthier. Used the 1716 Stradivari ‘Messie’ and 1742 Guarneri del Gesù ‘Vieuxtemps’ violins as models. — John Dilworth
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
17 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Two-piece back of medium fine curl, varnish of a reddish brown colour on a golden ground Lot 3414 | Gardiner | January 2025 | £976est. £ 800-1,200 |
| Violin | Two-piece back of faint medium curl, varnish of a light reddish brown colour on a golden ground Lot 2412 | Gardiner | January 2024 | £1,708est. £ 1,000-1,500 |
| Violin | Two-piece back of tight curl, varnish of a chocolate brown colour on a golden ground Lot 50 | Gardiner Houlgate | October 2016 | £1,056est. £ 800-1,200 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Coniston Lans, 1961 | — | January 2009 | £1,104 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm East View Coniston Lancs, 1967 | — | January 2008 | £882 |
| Viola | 41.9 cm 1953 | — | January 2006 | £960 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Coniston, 1967 | — | January 2006 | £840 |
| Viola | 41.9 cm Coniston, Lancs., 1966 | — | January 2006 | £960 |
| Violin | 1967 | — | January 2002 | £460 |
| Violin | 1965 | — | January 2000 | £633 |
| Violin | 1951 | — | January 2000 | £1,380 |
| Viola | 40.3 cm 1966 | — | January 1999 | £4,370 |
| Violin | 1970 | — | January 1999 | £1,380 |
| Violin | 1967 | — | January 1997 | £978 |
| Violin | 1954 | — | January 1993 | £1,430 |
| Violin | 1953 | — | January 1991 | £572 |
| Violin | 1962 | — | January 1989 | £748 |
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Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SMITH, Bert Born 1910 Sale, Cheshire, died 1973 Coniston, Cumbria UK. Apprenticed as a motor engineer in Bowness. Began violin making as a self-taught amateur 1938. Later employed as an engineer at the slate quarries of Coniston and from 1958 worked full-time as a luthier. Used the 1716 Stradivari ‘Messie’ and 1742 Guarneri del Gesù ‘Vieuxtemps’ violins as models. Some contralto violas and bows for both instruments. Very accurately made with golden-brown to red-brown varnish. Name branded beneath the back button. Relics of his workshop currently in the Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal. Facsimile Antonius Stradivarius Made by Bert Smith East View, Coniston, Lancs. 19.. [Davies]
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