Alfred Warrick

History

Alfred WARRICK (1863-?) was born at Reading on October 9, 1863. He served an apprenticeship with G. A. Chanot of Manchester, with sources providing conflicting accounts of its duration; William Meredith Morris states a six-year period from 1884 to 1890, while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff indicates he worked for Chanot for eight years before opening his own workshop in 1889. Henri Poidras also notes him as a pupil of Chanot, with whom he worked for many years. Warrick established workshops at 61 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, and at 24 Church Bank, Bradford.

Craft

• Models: Alfred Warrick worked on various models, primarily those of Stradivari and Guarneri.
• Working Style: He was a close copyist, focusing his energy on the exact reproduction of outline, arching, depth, and thicknesses of original instruments, rather than attempting original designs or modifications.
• Materials: Warrick utilized excellent wood in his instrument construction.
• Finish: His work is described as beautifully finished throughout.
• Varnish: He composed his own varnish, available in four colors: golden yellow, reddish yellow, brown red, and ruby. This varnish shared characteristics with that traditionally associated with the house of Chanot.
• Production and Repairs: Warrick produced a large number of instruments, both large and small, and also undertook extensive repair work.

Influence

• Apprenticeship: Alfred Warrick served an apprenticeship with G. A. Chanot of Manchester.
• Mentorship: He was a pupil of Chanot, working with him for a significant period.

Legacy

• Awards: Alfred Warrick was awarded the sole gold medal at the Leeds International Exhibition in 1895 for his exhibit of violins.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: His workshops were located at 61 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, and 24 Church Bank, Bradford.
• Pricing: His violins were priced at twelve and fifteen guineas, and his violoncellos at twenty guineas.

Summary

Alfred WARRICK (1863-?) was a British violin maker born in Reading. He apprenticed with G. A. Chanot in Manchester, later establishing workshops in Leeds and Bradford. Warrick was known for his precise copies of Stradivari and Guarneri models, utilizing excellent wood and his own four-color varnish. He received a gold medal at the 1895 Leeds International Exhibition for his violins.