Louis Guersan Cello Paris c. 1743 with Papers

This cello was made by Louis Guersan in Paris, in around 1743. Guersan was one of the foremost makers of the loose collective known as the "École Vieux Paris", or the  Old Paris School, which was a group of contemporary makers that, while not necessarily directly connected, represented a shared set of styles and aesthetics. He was born in 1700 and lived to about 1770, potentially apprenticing under Claude Pierray after assumedly being introduced to making by his elder step-brother, Jacques Bocquay. He was heavily involved in the violin-making guild in Paris at the time, being a Juror in the late 1740's, and subsequently a Syndic in 1750 and a Dean in 1769, and also trained a number of well-respected makers who characterised Paris in the later 18th Century. This instrument comes with papers from J&A Beare. 

The cello is labelled "Ludovicus Guersan prope Comaediam / Gallicam, Lutiae Anno 1743". The body measures 733mm along the back, 341mm across the upper bouts and 423mm across the lower bouts. It has a two-piece back of well-flamed maple of a narrow curl, and the ribs well selected to match. The top is broadly grained spruce of uneven growth, and the cello is finished with rosewood fittings and a deep gold-brown varnish. It is in good condition. 

Please contact us if you would like to book an appointment to try this beautiful French cello.