Hawkes and Son violin, Europe and London, 1893

London firm Hawkes and Son, which later amalgamated with Boosey, was founded in 1865, specialising at first in sheet music publishing before diversifying into instrument manufacture and sales. Their violin family instruments were made for them in Europe and sold under their name. This handsome, late nineteenth century example, with its finely flamed maple back, has the additional moniker “The Concert Violin”, probably indicating a German origin. The tone is full, warm and well-balanced, with a clear articulation that responds well to plenty of bow speed.