Violin by Alexander Smillie, Glasgow, 1902
Alexander Smillie (1847 - 1918) was primarily a self-taught maker, but seems to have had assistance from George Duncan. He was joined by his son Andrew 1902. He produced more than 300 instruments in a fluent and quite Italianate style focusing on Stradivari and Guarneri models. Well-made and oil varnished with Whitelaw’s amber preparation in an even red-brown over a good reflective ground.