French Mirecourt Trade Violin- Aubry Dugarde Paris Label circa 1928

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Label:

Violin making in France began in the northeastern town of Mirecourt. 17th century records has shown as many as 50 luthiers were operating in Mirecourt in the 1600s, and the oldest surviving apprenticeship contracts date as far back as 1629. Apprentice contacts from that time stated that the work day was from sunup until sundown, no matter what time of the year. These apprentices worked hard, hoping someday to possibly own their own workshop. Mirecourt grew because of the great economic success of the area and by the early 19th century, it had become a vital center of violin making. The Mirecourt style was both outwardly influential and reflected Baroque craftsmanship from Italy and Germany. Our violin is not made by a known Parisian maker, but hails a trade name for the label and was made in the 1920’s. Still, the instrument is well made and if we knew the exact maker the violin would be more than twice the price.

The woods on the violin stand out and the instrument was well played over the last century. I do not believe the violin comes from Paris and the Paris school of violin making, but from Mirecourt. Even a second year apprentice did not make this violin but a journeyman of many years. The carving handwork is just too good and the handwork shows a superior class of French trade violin. The hand cut scroll shows detail in the volutes and the egg shaped droop of the executed turns. The corner work is very accurate in each of the plates and the carving in general on the one-piece back also stands out. The wood choice and the overall weight of the violin tells me this was a maker who knew what he was doing. We have fully gone over the entire violin, cambering the fingerboard, new set of pegs, bridge, soundpost, matching tailpiece in ebony, and an ebony Teka chin rest. The one-piece back completes the amazing look. The oil varnish is orange/brown on a golden orange ground and the varnish shows patina from years of playing.

Corpus 353.0mm. Major Width 200.0 mm. Minor Width 160.0 mm. Rib Height 29.0 mm.

The violin rings and response is instant once the bow hits the strings. I describe the initial vibe I get from an instrument is that the sound jumps even when I’m just tuning. This violin has the juice. Great sound that a player will take notice of. I love the resonance and depth of the sound, maturity of the tone, and the response continues even when I shifted up into higher positions. The violin will surprise you in the treble side too with a gutsy clear ring to the sound and a clarity that will want you to play more to understand the abilities of the violin. A great sound that is just a little different. In less than a 14-inch carved body this violin has a gutsy, mature sound and a quick powerful response.