CultureJuly 10, 2026

lutherie

/ˈluːθəri/

Definition

The craft or profession of making and repairing stringed instruments, particularly those of the violin family.

Etymology

The word is derived from the French 'luthier', which originally referred to a maker of lutes. It entered English to describe the specialized skill set of artisans who construct violins, guitars, and similar stringed instruments.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the growing social and professional interest in the technical creation of stringed instruments during the late Victorian era. It is categorized as a specialized field of study and trade within the broader culture of violin performance.

Book review: Violin Culture in Britain 1870–1930: Music-making, Society, and the Popularity of Stringed Instruments

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The Strad

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