VIOLA - DENNIS PLOWRIGHT - GOOD CONDITION - 16 1/2" Start Price GBP 1,950.00 Current Price GBP 1,950.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, July 04, 2008 End Time Monday, July 14, 2008 Location Trowbridge, Wiltshire See more about 'VIOLA - DENNIS PLOWRIGHT - GOOD CONDITION - 16 1/2" ' Description This viola is 16 1/2 inches, full size, and is in good condition.  Comes with 2 bows and case, before we had the viola the case for sme reason was painted brown (??).  One of the bows has broken hair (as seen in photo).  All strings are in working condition.   Has not been played for over 10 years but has been kept in good temerature/humidity.  We have owned this viola for about 25 years.  There is a mute attached. there is a piece of paper stuck inside the Viola (inside the left f) saying by Dennis S Plowright 1963 no. 15, so one of his earlier pieces.  I can't see any naming on the bows.  There are no cracks or seperations, the bows weigh white 66g, black 56g, the Viola weighs 720g and the complete viola in the case weighs 3330g IF ANY ONE REQUIRES FURTHER PHOTOS PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO EMAIL ME This viola is illistrated in the 'Dictionary of compemporary Violin & Bowamkers' by Cyril Woodcock published by Amanti Publishing (completed 1965) COLLECTION OF THIS ITEM IS PREFERRED, ALTHOUGH DELIVERY CAN BE ARRANGED WORLDWIDE SHIPPING IS POSSIBLE - YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY ANY DUTY OR CUSTOMS CHARGES - PLEASE EMAIL FOR QUOTE ANY REASONABLE OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED We have all the paperwork for this item.   Dennis Plowright Engineer with a passion for making stringed instruments Like so many artistic professions, the world of violin restorers, makers and dealers has its fair share of enthusiastic amateurs, seduced by the fathomless beauty of the instruments and their endless fascination. Dennis Plowright was one such enthusiast. He was born in 1925 and grew up in Mill Hill, North London. His interest in stringed instruments began when, at 15, he came across a book on violins. Having an aptitude for all things mechanical he joined the Navy as an engineer. He later established himself as a chartered mechanical engineer and consultant. His practical skills would stand him in good stead when he began to make violins. Initially he studied violin-making with Raymond Franks, who was active in London from the 1930s until the mid-1950s. Later, he received much helpful advice from two highly regarded professional violin experts, Paul Voigt and Clifford Hoing. Plowright produced his first instrument in 1951 and in the next 45 years he completed an impressive 51 violins, 98 violas and 27 cellos. In addition to constructing new instruments he also carried out repairs for string musicians. British violin-makers, modern and historical, were his specific area of interest, and he compiled accurate details of every instrument he came across. This labour bore fruit in the publication of two books: a comprehensive and very useful Dictionary of British Violin and Bow Makers (1994, revised & enlarged 1996) and Aspects of the Violin — A Handbook for Makers and Players (1994). Plowright was not only a keen amateur cellist and pianist but also had a great love of cricket. Moving to Devizes in 1958 he began a long association with the Wiltshire Queries cricket club, where he is remembered fondly as “a nurdler, a poor fielder and someone who pinched the bowling”. In 1984 he retired to Exmouth, but not from the world of instruments — he made his last instrument in 2005 despite his failing eyesight. Plowright is survived by his wife, Mary, and the daughter and son from his previous marriage. Dennis Plowright, mechanical engineer and violin-maker, was born on January 11, 1925. He died on October 26, 2007, aged 82 (taken from The Times, November 17th 2007) Place a Bid!