Fine French J. T. L. Violin – Mirecourt circa 1910-1920

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Violin making in France began in the 17th century in the northeastern Vosges Mountains city of Mirecourt. As many as 50 luthiers were operating in Mirecourt in the 1600s and the oldest surviving apprenticeship contracts date as far back as 1629. The Mirecourt guild was established in 1732 outlining strict rules governing training and quality control of instrument making. The guild system produced many highly skilled craftsmen, many of whom took their learned knowledge to other cities across France and abroad. Several of these luthiers eventually returned to Mirecourt as master luthiers, hiring many workers and establishing famous shops. During this same time, international trade was expanding at an unparalleled rate. The Industrial Revolution gave Europeans access to resources from all over the world, and Mirecourt quickly established itself as a commerce center. By the turn of the 20th century, a handful of large workshops emerged in Mirecourt, internationally recognized even to this day. One of the fine shops was the Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy – the JTL shop – where this violin originates.

This high-quality violin was made around 1910. It is a violin with age, of the Stradivarius model, and with medium high arching. The violin has the typical JTL style with a wide body and a glowing orange/brown oil varnish that has excellent clarity. It has the typical fine grain top plate. It is beautiful. The exactness of the purfling work, especially the bee-stings, set this violin apart. The back plate is handsome one-piece maple and the typically carved scroll with a slight egg droop in the cut provide the elegant classic French appearance. The violin is in excellent condition with an undamaged body. It is a WOW! The violin has been completely gone over here in our workshop with new fittings in rosewood and a new Grade A level Despiau French bridge. This level bridge is from an ample tree that was harvested 200-250 years old. This is a very fine violin, superb in its construction, and top-shelf choice of woods.

Corpus 357.0 mm. Major Width 207.5 mm. Minor Width 167.5 mm. Rib Height 30.0 mm.

This violin is stunning, but it will also win you over because of its powerful, mature, and resonant sound. The sound is full of character and instant in its response on all of the voices. The lower strings will melt the player, and the treble voice is rich and sweet. The entire violin is wrapped up in a buttery sound and with a fight in its power which is a great combo to have. The instrument has a little hint of an edge, which I love to find in a violin. Edginess adds to the responsive overtones. Beautiful sound, great age, fantastic workmanship, a non-branded or labelled sleeper, but I always come back to the sound. Beautiful.