Interesting French violin by Nicolas Florentin, Mirecourt around 1800

This French violin by Nicolas Florentin is an exceptionally pretty and beautiful sounding work in the Mirecourt style of the period around 1800 - and provides several interesting clues to the artistic environment of this comparatively little-known master.

The formative influence of Didier Nicolas is unmistakable in the construction principles of this instrument, but even more so in the rather curious branding, which adopts the typography, the triangular design and the mark "A LA VILLE DE CREMONE" of the great model - and possibly teacher? - of the great model - and possibly teacher? At the same time, this stamp stands for another important connection of Florentin's, for it is also found in a later viola made after François Chanot's distinctive, guitar-like Chanot violin model - next to the label of Georges Chanot, brother of François and progenitor of the famous English dynasty of violin makers Chanot. Even though the biography of Nicolas Florentin's work is largely unexplored, the two aforementioned references signal the sovereign savoir-faire with which Florentin moved within the currents of French violin making of his time, and the outstanding quality of the violin offered here, which is in crack-free condition, demonstrates the high standard of his work in a manner that is appealing to both the eye and the ear. Thanks to its high transparency, the pretty orange-brown varnish accentuates the fine, medium grained spruce top and the powerful flaming of the one-piece maple back. The scroll is a graceful carving full of character, which fits wonderfully with the classic Mirecourt model of this era with its strikingly extended corners. With guaranteed trade-in, we offer this Florentine violin in immediate playing condition. After a thorough inspection in our violin making workshop, it has all the radiance of its mature and large tone, which combines pleasant warmth with good power and a lovely draw.