Fine violin by Nicolas Augustin Chappuy (workshop), circa 1770

Nicolas Augustin Chappuy was one of the most productive luthiers in 18th century Mirecourt, and this interesting violin from master's workshop reveals the secrets of his truly successful oeuvre.

Nicolas Augustin Chappuy and Didier l‘Ainé Nicolas were born within the same generation, and yet these two influential personalities each represent very different epochs in the history of violin making in Mirecourt. Whereas l‘Ainé is considered the founder of instrument factories in his hometown, if not industrial violin manufacturing, Nicolas A. Chappuy stood for traditional artisanry, and he redefined the possibilities of these traditions in his flourishing workshop while also displaying a confident sense of what the market wanted. The workshop violin offered here is a solid example of Nicolas Augustin Chappuy’s focus on essentials and aesthetics, an approach which was an important cornerstone of his success. As an instrument which was crafted in the late 18th century a few years before Chappuy’s death, this violin shows his masterful ability to combine excellent sound properties with design details which he deliberately kept simple; nevertheless, Chappuy still managed to integrate the distinctive character of hand-crafted instruments, which is evident here in features such as the accentuated broad edges and the expressive scroll. A grafted scroll and an otherwise basically crack-free condition is not ommon in a violin of this advanced age. After having been carefully set up and made ready to play by the specialists at our workshop, this violin is a rarity that is now in premium condition and ready to play, eager to express the full potential of its large, powerful and mature sound that satisfies professional demands.