A fine English violin made by Robert Thompson in the hayday of the London trade in violin making. 
 
This violin is made to the typical Stainer model, much loved in London throughout the 18th Century produced and sold by a great many makers and stores such as Longman and Broderip, the early Hill family, Norris and Barnes etc... 
 
It sounds fantastic, it has an understated warm tone with plenty of brightness.  Not as powerful as your golden period Strad model instruments, but this violin is packed with tonal character, we love it! 
 
The scroll is a good quality replacement, probably done around 100 years ago and the condition is generally superb.  The back is made from the most striking one piece of maple which really compliments the high arching of this vioiln.