Charles John Wilkinson (b. 1889, d. 1961) was a British violinist who later trained as violin maker under Thomas Jaques Holder.  He worked for G. Withers and later for J & A Beare.  At Beare’s, Wilkinson did restorations and provided excellent copies of Cremonese, Milanese, and Turinese originals.  Intriguingly, instruments sold through Beare’s had labels with Wilkinson’s name inscribed and those instruments he sold himself had equivocal labels with fictitious Italian names.  The 1930 violin is a Testore copy with the Italian verbage on the label.  Very interesting and quirky!

The violin is a brilliant emulation of the Testore model.  Like Testore, the top purfling is inlaid while the back purfling is scribed.  We adore this violin for its multiple personalities!  Depending upon what you ask for with the bow. you will be thrilled with a radiant, centered, singing voice that can tranform into a bold and stout voice.  At all dynamic levels, bask in the clarity and resonance of the Wilkinson violin.  Come play the violin and make a new best musical friend.