Nicolas-Émile Cherpitel – fine French violin no. 26, Paris 1874

Antique French master violin by Nicolas-Émile Cherpitel with comfortable playability and a large, radiant, perfectly balanced sound.

Nicolas-Émile Cherpitel (1841–1893) was a French violin maker who learned his art in his hometown of Mirecourt, among others from Jules Grandjon, and perfected it during more than ten years of work in the renowned Paris workshop of Gand frères. Their influence is apparent in the master violin No. 26 that Cherpitel built in the fourth year of his own workshop and which is offered here. It is a perfectly successful piece of work modeled on Stradivari, with exceptionally comfortable playability and excellent sound.

With its flawless craftsmanship and musical quality, this magnificent French master violin makes it easy to understand why Nicolas-Émile Cherpitel won awards at every violin-making exhibition he entered. The musically sensitive execution of this flat-arched Stradivari model presents an up-and-coming master whose career was built on a solid foundation of thorough training and extensive practice in one of the leading ateliers in the French capital. His exceptional skill is apparent at first glance from the one-piece back made of closely-grained maple; the top made of carefully selected medium-grained spruce shows some restorations on the left-hand side that were carried out with a level of expertise befitting the instrument's quality. Together with the slight antiquing of the orange-brown varnish, which Cherpitel carried out with a fine sense of style, and traces of use by previous owners, they combine to create an expressive appearance that matches the playing and sound characteristics of this Nicolas-Émile Cherpitel violin. Thanks to its surprisingly light weight, it is comfortable to hold and makes its excellent, large and mature sound easily accessible, which is perfectly balanced across all strings and registers and develops carrying radiance in the treble.

• Master violin No. 26 by Nicolas-Émile Cherpitel, Paris 1874
• First-class work based on Stradivari
• Expressive, antique appearance
• Large, radiant sound and excellent playability
• With the original violin label from the master

After a thorough review in our workshop, we deliver this violin immediately ready to play and free of shipping costs. A 30-day return policy and our Corilon trade-in guarantee are included; a certificate of appraisal can be ordered additionally.