Gustave Bernardel Violin Paris 1900

This violin was made by Gustave Bernardel in Paris, in 1900. Gustave Bernardel, born in 1832, was the son and apprentice of Auguste Sébastien Philippe Bernardel. His father had great experience as a luthier, having worked in workshops in both Paris and Mirecourt extensively in his youth, particularly under Nicolas Lupot and Charles François Gand. This French heritage abounds in G. Bernardel's work, and his partnership with Charles Eugène Gand in the firm Gand & Bernardel Frères, established in 1866, defined an era in French violin making. The firm produced over a thousand instruments and bows, but its legacy can also be seen in the many makers that worked at the firm in their early careers and went on to further develop the French style of violin and bow making, including Joseph Arthur Vigneron père, François Nicolas Voirin, and Charles Peccate. 

This violin is labelled "Exposition Universelle Paris 1900 / Hors Concours / Gustave Bernardel / Luthier du Conservatoire de Musique / N. 1927 Paris 1900". The body measures 359mm along the back, 168mmm across the upper bouts and 208mm across the lower bouts. It has a two-piece back of very evenly, highly flamed maple, with matching ribs and scroll. The top is a finely grained spruce, and the violin is finished with amber-red varnish on a golden ground, with fittings of rosewood. Notable on this particular violin is the doweled blocks, with pins displaying on the corners as well as the top and bottom of the instrument, a practice used at the time to stabilise the instrument often for use in tropical climates. It is in good condition and sold with a certificate from Serge Boyer.

This violin has a very smooth and characteristically French sound, full of sweetness and intensity in equal parts. It is quite responsive, being able to change tone colours and characters very quickly, with a wide range of options readily available under the fingers. The top register comes across with the utmost clarity, and while the lower register has less of the rough intensity some players look for in a G string sound, it doesn't lack strength in the slightest. It would be best suited for professional players in solo or orchestral situations. 

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