In our opinion, this violin was made by John Marshall in Covent Garden, London in the period 1750-1760.

Marshall is regarded as one of the very best exponents of Jacob Stainer's model in London. It should be noted that the majority of English makers in this period adopted patterns loosely derived from the Stainer patter, but only a few makers of which Marshall is an example elevated the quality of their making to that of directly copying and studying authentic examples by Stainer.

The instrument is in good condition, but the corners are worn in a similar way to the case-wear found on some genuine examples of Stainer's work as the consequence of the kinds of cases made for them in the seventeenth century. This seems to suggest original antiquing work, and the possibility that the instrument was intended to pass as an authentic Stainer in the eighteenth century (we have seen work by Marshall's successor, Henry Rawlins that labelled to deceive as Stainer). The exception being the original scroll that is of over-sized proportion and characteristic of both Marshall and Rawlins.

String length: 329mm
Back length: 358mm

See Benjamin Hebbert  certificate :

John Marshall certificate