Red List Comment Submission

Commenting on: Lute Making

Section one - About you

Section two - Description of the craft

If you are commenting on an existing craft, please select it here and skip the next two questions

Please enter the name of the craft you would like us to add here.

If this is a new craft type please select the most suitable category

Please identify country, region, county or town

Please identify country, region, county or town

Please identify an era/century/approximate historic period.

Heritage Crafts uses a system of four categories of risk to assess the viability of heritage crafts. A heritage craft is considered to be viable if there are sufficient craftspeople to transmit the craft skills to the next generation. For more information on definitions see http://heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist/categories-of-risk/

Section three - Current numbers of those practising the craft in the UK

People earning their main craft income from this craft (selling, commissions, conservation/ restoration and/or teaching).

People practicing this craft commercially (selling, commissions, conservation/restoration and/or teaching) but as less than half of their income.

People acquiring skills in order to become a professional in this craft, they probably have to work under supervision even if they are earning money while training.

People whose knowledge and ability is at a level of the most skilled practitioners of this craft.

People who do not intend to practice this craft professionally or at the highest level.

Section four - Issues affecting the viability of the craft

Existing content:

Training and Recruitment Issues

  • There are no formal training programs for lute making in the UK, leaving aspiring makers without clear pathways into the craft.
  • Most experienced lute makers work independently or in small workshops, making it difficult to take on and train apprentices.
  • A lack of structured mentorship means traditional skills and knowledge are at risk of being lost over time.

Market Issues

  • The market for lutes is highly concentrated in London, making it harder for makers in other parts of the UK to access buyers.
  • Lutes are perceived as expensive due to the absence of affordable, entry-level UK-made instruments, limiting accessibility for beginners.
  • While imported, lower-cost lutes are available, they are often of inferior quality and do not match the craftsmanship of UK-made instruments, creating an uneven market perception.

Supply Chain Issues

  • The high cost of cases is becoming a significant barrier, making lute production more expensive and less viable.
  • There is a shortage of case makers, further complicating access to essential protective storage for lutes.
  • High-quality timber is increasingly difficult to source, with some traditional species now endangered.
  • Native woods, which could offer a sustainable alternative, remain particularly hard to obtain. This is exacerbated by a decline in the number of individuals with the skills and knowledge required to obtain and process suitable native trees and woods from source.

Skills Issues

  • There has been a decline in the variety of instruments being made, limiting the diversity of available lutes.
  • High-level craftsmanship skills are fading as fewer makers specialize in the intricate techniques required for top-tier instruments.

Ageing Workforce and Lack of New Makers

  • The majority of skilled lute makers in the UK are at or beyond retirement age, with few younger artisans entering the field.
  • Despite a growing interest in playing the lute among younger musicians, this has not translated into a new generation of makers, putting the long-term sustainability of the craft at risk.

e.g. lack of qualifications, funding for training etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. lack of demand for products/skills etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

Tick the box if there are difficulties with the supply of raw materials, allied materials or tools

If yes, please describe the issues below

i.e. issues around running any small business, not just crafts

If yes, please describe the issues below

Is the main workforce made up of people who are approaching retirement age?

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. legal restrictions on materials, health and safety etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. Brexit, Covid-19, conflict

If yes, please describe the issues below

Please describe any other issues

Section five - Current Initiatives to preserve craft skills

Please describe any UK projects or schemes

Section six - Main players in the craft – please tell us who you know about

Please list any known practitioners of this craft — add a row item for each person or business and complete the fields to the best of your knowledge. To get started click the `Add practitioner` button below.

1
Add practitioner

Section seven - Optional additional information

It may include when and where the craft developed, how it has changed over time, etc.

e.g. festivals, religious celebrations, agricultural practices, music, dance etc.

e.g. religious, ethnic, social class. Please give an overview of the techniques involved in the craft.

This may involve different materials, techniques, styles or finished products.

e.g. books, websites etc.