Menu

Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume

Jean Baptiste Vuillaume was the single most influential personality in the violin world of the 19th century. A prolific maker, inventor, connoisseur and dealer, he established Paris as the centre of the violin trade, which it remained until after his death.

Vuillaume moved to Paris in 1818 and trained with François Chanot and Lété before establishing his own business in the rue Croix des Petits Champs in 1827. He remained there until 1858, when he moved to the rue Demours at Les Ternes. During his career he employed many of the most skilled violin and bow makers of his day, including Nestor Audinot, Charles Maucotel, Hippolyte Silvestre, Honoré Derazey, the Peccatte brothers, Jean Persoit, Joseph Fonclause, Pierre Simon and François Voirin.

Vuillaume’s early instruments were very much in the mould of Lupot, but he soon began to developas a copyist, particularly of Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesù, and occasionally

of Maggini and Amati. His love of old instruments had a strong influence on his work. In 1838 he met Paganini, and subsequently made a number of copies of the ‘Cannon’ Guarneri del Gesù, as can be seen in the violin dated 1847 featured in this archive. In 1855 he famously acquired the ‘Messie’ Stradivari from Luigi Tarisio, and made many fine ‘Messie’ copies, such as the one from the year 1866.

Although Vuillaume boasted of his skills as a copyist, and allegedly tried to palm Paganini off with a copy of the ‘Cannon’, his instruments are not easily confused with the originals. In a career spanning over half a century, he and his workshop produced more than 3,000 instruments, and the fact that they exist in such great numbers makes them relatively easy to identify. In addition, the vast majority of them are labelled, branded, numbered and signed as Vuillaume’s work.

Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume

(b Mirecourt, 1798; d Paris, 1875)

Jean Baptiste Vuillaume was the single most influential personality in the violin world of the 19th century. A prolific maker, inventor, connoisseur and dealer, he established Paris as the centre of the violin trade, which it remained until after his death.

Vuillaume moved to Paris in 1818 and trained with François Chanot and Lété before establishing his own business in the rue Croix des Petits Champs in 1827. He remained there until 1858, when he moved to the rue Demours at Les Ternes. During his career he employed many of the most skilled violin and bow makers of his day,... Read more

Instruments we have sold by this maker > Looking to buy or sell an instrument by this maker > Articles >

Instruments for sale in our Private Sales

A violin by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume

Paris, 1850

Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume stands as one of the defining figures of the 19th-century violin world. Celebrated as a master maker, innovator, expert connoisseur, and influential dealer, he helped establish Paris as... read more

A violin by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume

Paris, 1850

Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume stands as one of the defining figures of the 19th-century violin world. Celebrated as a master maker, innovator, expert connoisseur, and influential dealer, he helped establish Paris as the leading hub of the international violin trade during his lifetime. His close study of the greatest Cremonese instruments, particularly those of Stradivari and Guarneri, left a profound mark on his craftsmanship and artistic vision.

This violin draws inspiration from a Stradivari Golden Period model, featuring slightly broader bouts that lend the instrument both visual presence and tonal depth. The varnish displays an elegant antiqued character. Tonally, the violin is remarkably responsive and projects with ease, offering brilliance, clarity, and a rich spectrum of overtones complemented by a distinctive and refined timbre.
View in Private Sales

‘Ex-Caraman de Chimay’

A decorated violin after Stradivari by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume

Paris, 1865

Given Vuillaume’s reverence for the 1716 ‘Messie’ Stradivari, it is unsurprising that his two string quartets dating from 1865 were conceived as matched sets, with all four instruments made on... read more

‘Ex-Caraman de Chimay’

A decorated violin after Stradivari by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume

Paris, 1865

Given Vuillaume’s reverence for the 1716 ‘Messie’ Stradivari, it is unsurprising that his two string quartets dating from 1865 were conceived as matched sets, with all four instruments made on the Stradivari model. The ‘Caraman de Chimay’ quartet was bought from Vuillaume by Victor Charles Antoine de Riquet, second Duc de Caraman.

This violin was sold by W.E. Hill & Sons to Nathan Posner in 1923, together with the ‘Caraman de Chimay’ viola. It later passed to Sol Kinder and then to Louis Feiler, who owned it from 1938 to 1948. During Feiler’s ownership, both instruments were featured in Ernest Doring’s pamphlet Violins and Violinists. Around 1980, the violin was sold to Olivier Jaques and remained in the Jaques family for thirty years, before being acquired by the current owner at Sotheby’s in 2009. It was one of the highlights featured in the 2012 Sotheby’s exhibition of the work of J.B. Vuillaume.
View in Private Sales

‘Ex-Olivier Jaques’

A viola by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume

Paris, 1863

This instrument follows a longer interpretation of the Stradivari-inspired model that Vuillaume used for his 15½-inch violas, and is one of only a small number which Vuillaume made with a... read more

‘Ex-Olivier Jaques’

A viola by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume

Paris, 1863

This instrument follows a longer interpretation of the Stradivari-inspired model that Vuillaume used for his 15½-inch violas, and is one of only a small number which Vuillaume made with a back length of 16½ inches. Its design appears to be based on a specific Stradivari viola, possibly the “Russian” of 1715, now part of the Russian State Collection in Moscow.

Unlike many of Vuillaume’s instruments from the 1840s and 50s, this instrument shows no signs of antiquing. Nevertheless, the subdued golden-brown varnish lends it a sense of age – quite unlike the pristine appearance of many of his antiqued instruments. Closer examination reveals that the instrument is in exceptionally fine condition and, in many respects, may be regarded as a viola-sized, older sibling to the celebrated Messiah copy violins that Vuillaume produced in the 1860s and 1870s.

This viola was featured in Sotheby’s 2012 exhibition of the work of J.B. Vuillaume.
View in Private Sales

A cello after Stradivari by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume

Paris, circa 1840

Jean Baptiste Vuillaume was the single most influential personality in the violin world of the 19th century. A prolific maker, inventor, connoisseur and dealer, he established Paris as the centre... read more

A cello after Stradivari by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume

Paris, circa 1840

Jean Baptiste Vuillaume was the single most influential personality in the violin world of the 19th century. A prolific maker, inventor, connoisseur and dealer, he established Paris as the centre of the violin trade, which it remained until after his death. Working with the finest Cremonese instruments deeply influenced Vuillaume’s personal output. This cello is based on the work of Antonio Stradivari, with extra breadth to the bouts, beautifully preserved varnish and wood choice all closely reflecting the iconic originals. This instrument has a clear and responsive sound - it projects very well and has a bright range of overtones and a very special timbre.
View in Private Sales

Instruments we have sold by this maker

Articles

1862 Vuillaume cello commissioned by Vieuxtemps to go on sale for the first time

30 April 2024 - Ingles & Hayday

SLIPPEDISK ARTICLE EXTRACT – March 19, 2024 In 1862, the phenomenal Belgian violinist Henry Vieuxtemps asked his friend the celebrated luthier Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume to make him a cello. He may have wanted it for his string quartet, or maybe just... Read more

Read more

“Vuillaume – a great artist!”

05 March 2024 - Dilworth, John

John Dilworth examines two magnificent instruments by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume A chance to examine two instruments by J.B.Vuillaume brings home his supreme mastery of violin making. These almost equally well-preserved examples are virtually as clean and fresh as they were when... Read more

Read more

Alexei Lvov and the ‘Tsar Nicholas’ Vuillaume Violin

12 May 2021 - Todes, Ariane

Alexei Lvov, the violinist who commissioned the Tsar Nicholas from Vuillaume in 1840, described himself as a dilettante, but he was a key figure in 19th-century Russian musical life, as Ariane Todes discovers

Read more

Part VI: The Decline and Renaissance of Italian Violin Making

26 April 2021 - Dilworth, John

The Evolution of Violin Making from 16th-20th Century Part VI

Read more

Tim Ingles remembers Sotheby’s Vuillaume exhibition of 2012

15 June 2020 - Ingles & Hayday

Introduction In the autumn of 2012, which also turned out to be the autumn of my career at Sotheby’s, I had the privilege of handling some of the finest instruments by J.B. Vuillaume, and staging an exhibition of his work... Read more

Read more

A ‘self-rehairing’ violin bow by Pierre Simon for J.B. Vuillaume

01 March 2019 - Oxley, Peter

  As opposed to the W.E.Hill & Sons workshop where, from the beginning of the 20th Century, W.C. Retford introduced the standardised ‘Hill Bow’ by employing the rigorous use of templates, J.B. Vuillaume allowed all of the bow makers in... Read more

Read more

The Evangelists Quartet by J.B. Vuillaume

17 March 2016

An unparalleled quartet of instruments made by Jean Baptiste Vuillaume in Paris in 1863 was sold in our March 2016 auction for a world record £960,000.

Read more

Vuillaume ‘Evangelists’ quartet sell for record amount

16 March 2016

ARTICLE EXTRACT A quartet of instruments made by the luthier Jean Baptiste Vuillaume sold at auction for £960,000 on 15 March. The two violins, viola and cello are named after the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, with corresponding carved... Read more

Read more

The exquisite ‘Evangelists’ Quartet: close-up

16 March 2016

ARTICLE EXTRACT Between 1863 and 1872, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume created these four instruments, each with an intricate carving of one of the four Evangelists, St Matthew, St Mark, St Luke and St John. He also created at least five others, bearing... Read more

Read more

Vuillaume’s ‘Evangelists’ string quartet of instruments sells for £960,000

16 March 2016

ARTICLE EXTRACT Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume’s ‘Evangelists’ quartet of instruments has sold for £960,000 ($1.35m). The two violins, viola and cello – named after the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, with corresponding carved tailpieces depicting each saint – were bought through... Read more

Read more

Looking to Buy or Sell an Instrument by this Maker?

Selling with Ingles & Hayday

We offer buyers and sellers a bespoke private sale service, sourcing exceptional instruments and bows and matching them with the most discerning buyers.

More Information

Buying at Ingles & Hayday

Tim Ingles and Paul Hayday will offer an initial evaluation of the authenticity and value of your instrument or bow to recommend an auction estimate and reserve price.

Enquire

Written Valuations & Certificates

Tim Ingles and Paul Hayday will offer an initial evaluation of the authenticity and value of your instrument or bow. At this stage, the assessment is free and without obligation. In the first instance, we suggest submitting good-quality images to us, preferably by email to info@ingleshayday.com or by completing the valuation form.

Read more

    Buying at Ingles & Hayday

    We hold two auctions a year at Sotheby’s in London, generally in March and October. We also have a selection of instruments and bows for private sale all year round. Please contact us for more information.

    Ingles & Hayday would like to send you information about our events and services, by post, telephone and email. If you agree to being contacted in this way, please tick the relevant box.

    Back to Notable Sales