Fine French violin by Emile Mennesson, 1883

This fine French violin by Emile Mennesson is instrument number 1813 from the hand of this interesting luthier, as can be seen by the dated and numbered original label. Crafted in 1883, it represents the distinctive style and exacting quality standards of Mennesson’s personal Joseph Guarini model.

Emile Mennesson (1842-1920)'s tasteful appearance of this violin and its excellent sound reveal his intense involvement with the Mirecourt violin making tradition, especially with the legacy of Honoré Derazey, which he had come to know not least through his later partner Georges Deroux - a Derazey student and influential teacher for many talented Mirecourt violin makers of the time. The son of a well-established family of music dealers and piano makers in Reims, Mennesson had his own artistic home in violin making and ran his workshop comparatively free of economic constraints. The high aesthetic and musical standards he followed are reflected in the high-quality tonewoods of the violin offered here, which were crafted with the utmost care. The one-piece back of beautiful, tightly and powerfully flamed maple is a consummate detail typical of Mennesson's best work. For it, he exclusively used the dated and numbered original label that can be found inside the body. Thanks to its very good condition, this authentic Emil Mennesson violin presents itself in excellent condition. Its golden brown varnish has developed beautiful patina over time, which, as well as a top repair and minimal additions to the scroll, are common for an instrument of this great age. In its impeccable top condition, which our luthiers have convinced themselves of during a thorough inspection, the violin possesses all the beauty of its large, radiant sound, which opens up wide musical action spaces for demanding violinists.