The Mittenwald-trained luthier was sought by museums around the world, auctioneers and dealerships for his dendrochronological examinations
John Topham, a highly respected British dendrochronologist, has died.
Topham trained as a violin maker in Mittenwald, graduating from the Fachschule für Geigenbau in 1971, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Science from the Open University in 1985. Prior to becoming self-employed in 1979, he worked at the Edward Withers Ltd violin shop in London with Dietrich Kessler.
From 1995, Topham began developing dendrochronological methods for investigating instruments. Together with Derek McCormick, he had two papers published in the Journal of Archaeological Science regarding British and Italian instruments, including the 1716 ‘Messiah’ Stradivari violin. His dendrochronological examinations were sought globally by auctioneers, museums, and dealerships. Notable clients include Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum, Sotheby’s and J&A Beare in London.
Topham’s funeral will take place on 20 January in Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
Read: Ask the Experts: is dendrochronology useful in valuing an instrument?
Watch: A fresh look at the dendrochronology of the ‘Messiah’
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