Matthew Hardie
Violin maker
(1755 – 1826)
The circumstances of Matthew Hardie's training are unknown. While some experts have suggested parallels between his work and that of Vincenzo Panormo and John Betts, it is entirely possible that Hardie learned his craft locally in Edinburgh. The bulk of his work was through the Edinburgh Musical Society, and though his early career showed great promise, the demise of the Society in 1798 marked the beginning of his decline into poverty. The quality of materials deteriorated steadily with Hardie's ill fortunes, despite beneficent attempts to sustain his work. His son Thomas assisted him, with instruments from 1824 on bearing the label "Hardie & Son." Other workers employed by Hardie, including David Stirrat, went on to found their own businesses after his death in 1826, and were influenced by his style and choice of model, usually a long-pattern Stradivari.
Price History
- The auction record for this maker is $50,512 in Feb 2006, for a cello.
- 52 auction price results.
View all auction prices for Matthew Hardie
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