Ken Manning was born in Alliance, Alberta
on February 2, 1921. Brought up in a musical family, Ken learned to
play the guitar, mouth organ, and accordian. An interest in music and
and a lifetime of woodworking experience has destined Ken to become
an internationally renowned craftsman of perfect miniature replicas of historic
and contemporary stringed instruments.
In 1987, Ken became recognized as a Fellow of the International Guild of Miniature
Artisans. Each instrument is crafted to the 1" scale, hand-signed inside and comes
with a certificate of authenticity.
Many pieces of the Ken Manning Collection have been on display at such museums as
Musee de la Civilisation, Quebec City; Tee Ridder Miniature Museum, New York; Canadian
Craft Museum, Vancouver; and Elements of Style, International Guild of Miniature Artisans.
Ken's instruments are created from many different varieties of wood and often the same
wood as those found in the full scale instruments. Nylon monofilament lines in a variety
of strengths are used to string his instruments. Bows are made of wood, while bowstrings
are crafted from nylon thread.
Unique pieces such as the intricate Italian Mandora are extremely challenging and
take approximately 50 hours to complete. Ken uses real bone for his tuning pegs, frets and bridges.
Turning 12 tiny bone tuning pegs for each Mandora rivals the task of hand carving the tiny
scroll on the head of the miniscule violin. Each violin also comes with a case which is
carefully shaped to the contours of the instrument, and a velvet lining provides an elegant
finishing touch.
Attention to the finest detail characterizes The Ken Manning
Collection. Each instrument is completed with 15 coats of lacquer, hand rubbed and
polished creating a brilliant finish.
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