Peter Pan 7/8 Violin by Caroline Campbell

£9,500.00

A remarkable contemporary 7/8 size violin, no27 handmade in 2017 by Scottish luthier Caroline Campbell. Featuring a hand-carved depiction of Peter Pan in place of the traditional scroll. Crafted from Bosnian maple and Alpine spruce, this violin offers a clear, responsive tone. A perfect choice for smaller players, as this size often provides enhanced comfort without compromising on sound.

A remarkable contemporary 7/8 size violin, no27 handmade in 2017 by Scottish luthier Caroline Campbell. Featuring a hand-carved depiction of Peter Pan in place of the traditional scroll. Crafted from Bosnian maple and Alpine spruce, this violin offers a clear, responsive tone. A perfect choice for smaller players, as this size often provides enhanced comfort without compromising on sound.

Product Information

Handcrafted using Bosnian flamed maple for the back, ribs, and neck, and Alpine spruce for the top, this violin measures just under full size with a body length of 345mm, ith a bridge position at 190mm and a neck length of 128mm, resulting in an active string length of 319mm.

Tonally, this violin is immediately responsive, resonant and well-balanced, with layers of depth for musicians to explore. It is well-suited for chamber ensembles, orchestral musicians and soloists looking for a violin that is both visually unique and sonically outstanding.

A violin with a story to tell. This wonderfully imaginative 7/8 violin by Scottish violin maker Caroline Campbell is a truly individual creation, combining traditional violin-making aesthetics with an extraordinary level of artistic detail and storytelling. At first glance, the instrument displays a beautiful warm, golden-amber varnish, with attractive figuring across the back in a modified Nicolas Lupot model. Look a little closer, however and an enchanting world begins to emerge. In place of the traditional violin scroll sits an exquisitely hand-carved head inspired by the much-loved children's story Peter Pan.

This is an instrument that captures the imagination, bringing together the worlds of music, literature and traditional craftsmanship in a thoroughly distinctive way.

Design & Inspiration – The Story of Peter Pan

The inspiration behind this violin comes from J. M. Barrie's timeless story of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. Caroline Campbell has brought this familiar character to life through a series of wonderfully considered details, each with its own place in the story. The most striking feature is the carved head of Peter Pan, which takes the place of the conventional scroll. The intricately sculpted figure features Peter's distinctive face and wonderfully detailed, tousled hair, with the carving continuing around the back of the pegbox. But Peter isn't alone. Look closely and you'll discover Tinker Bell perched beside one of the peg holes, seemingly whispering into Peter's ear. It is a delightful detail that rewards closer inspection and brings an additional character to the design.

On the reverse of the carved head, tucked beneath Peter's unruly hair, is a small hook – another playful reference to the character and the imaginative world Caroline has created. The storytelling continues across the back of the violin itself. Four delicate cobweb designs have been carved in to the corners and inlaid with ebony paste, adding a wonderfully unusual decorative touch.

Caroline explains that she imagined Peter as a little boy living in his own world, and pictured the tree hollow where he and the Lost Boys lived as rather untidy, with cobwebs gathering in the corners. These tiny details are a reflection of that vision, giving the instrument a sense of place and bringing the story beyond the carved head and into the body of the violin.

It is this thoughtfulness that makes the design so special. Rather than simply depicting a character, Caroline has imagined the world around him and incorporated elements of that world into the instrument itself, the second of her ‘Lost Boys’ series of designs, this is the final available instrument of the series and a truly unique piece.

Violin Makers Biography

Caroline Campbell (Scottish, Contemporary)

Caroline Campbell is a skilled Scottish violin maker known for her exceptional craftsmanship. Her violins are celebrated for their rich, warm tone and excellent projection. While Campbell sometimes carves traditional scrolls, her work is particularly distinguished by her creative approach to carving heads, often featuring unique character-driven designs. Each instrument reflects her attention to detail and artistic vision, offering musicians both aesthetic beauty and superb sound quality. Admired by collectors and musicians alike, Campbell's instruments are becoming increasingly sought after and rarely come to the market following her retirement.

Professional Set-Up

This instrument has been professionally set up by its maker, Caroline Campbell, and retains its original maker-fitted bridge, complete with her distinctive maker's mark. A lovely detail that further reflects the instrument's provenance and preserves its connection to the maker.

How Long Will My Order Take to Arrive?

We’re a small, family-run workshop with a big focus on quality. For all the details on our delivery times, shipping options and how we’re working to reduce our carbon footprint, see our Delivery Information page.

Postage Options

We offer the following delivery options:

  • Free Local Collection: You are welcome to collect your instrument free of charge from our workshop near Lincoln.

  • UK Delivery: We’ll dispatch your violin anywhere in the UK, with a postage charge applied at checkout.

  • EU Delivery: We are happy to arrange shipping within the EU, a postage charge will be applied at the checkout.

  • International Delivery: Worldwide shipping is available with some exceptions. Please get in touch for an individual quote.

Violin Care Tips

To keep your violin in great condition and ensure it maintains its best sound, we recommend the following care tips:

  • Storage: Always store your violin in a cool, dry place. Avoid extreme temperatures and humidity, as these can affect the wood.

  • Cleaning: Clean your violin regularly with a soft cloth to remove dust and rosin build-up. Be careful not to touch the varnish with your fingers.

  • String Care: Check your strings for wear and replace them when necessary. Avoid over-tightening the strings, as this can cause unnecessary stress on the instrument.

  • Bow Maintenance: Loosen the bow hair after playing and wipe the stick with a dry, soft cloth to remove rosin dust, preventing build-up and protecting the finish.

Customer Support

If you have any questions or need assistance at any point during your purchase or after receiving your violin, our team is here to help. Whether you have inquiries about delivery, setup, or care, feel free to contact us, and we'll be happy to assist.