French violin by Victor Audinot, Paris 1927

Victor Audinot (1870-1943) caused a sensation early on with his detailed replicas of great classics of violin making, including famous instruments by Antonio Stradivari. However, it was above all modern French violins made by Victor Audinot that had a lasting musical impact, and these, like the one offered here, are testimony to an outstanding talent.

The virtuoso handling of interesting irregularities in the wood, which Audinot skilfully stages in this violin, is reminiscent of the aesthetic preferences of Italian masters - and yet this Victor Audinot violin, made in 1927, also unmistakably belongs to the French tradition in which its maker grew up. Born in Mirecourt, the world-renowned center of musical instrument making in the Vosges Mountains, Audinot learned his craft from François Chardin and Télesphore Barbé - a Derazey student and collaborator of Grandjon, Jacquot and Vuillaume, who himself was famous for his Stradivari replicas and presumably passed this interest on to his student. For this violin, Audinot took his cue from Guarneri, whose influential model is given a very personal interpretation here, right down to the lovingly crafted, jointed scroll. The perfectly beautiful varnish with its darkened, golden-brown glowing color lends the deeply flamed maple on the back and sides a matured appearance that perfectly matches the violin's radiantly beautiful tone. Crackfree and excellently preserved, it is in top condition, which our luthiers have convinced themselves of during a thorough inspection.

• Victor Audinot - French violin, Paris 1927
• Original label Victor Audinot-Mourot
• Personal Guarneri model
• Virtuoso aesthetics with first class tonewoods
• Beautiful antique varnish
• Crackfree top condition