Description

This is a violin made by Jean-Baptise Vuillaume in 1827 on a Stradivari model. It bears the maker’s inscription with date and number inside the back on the upper flanks. It is faintly labelled and barely visible as

J.B. Vuillaume

No. 60 Paris 1827

The back is carved from a single piece of quarter cut curly maple and is marked with a prominent interlaced figure that descends slightly from the treble to bass.The maple of the sides is quarter cut maple with a medium to medium brad figure, whereas the maple of the scroll has a narrower curl.The top is carved from a single piece of spruce with medium broad graining which narrows towards the flanks.
The varnish is a rich medium orange brown in colour and is applied to a golden base. This wonderful violin produces radiant sound full of timbre, rich substance and a charming melting sound.

Provenance

The first known owner acquired the instrument in 1929 from Lyon and Healy Company. He was a professional violinist in several of the theaters in Manhattan and thereafter was a freelance player in the city.It was then sold through Wm. Moenig and Son of Philadelphia to a physics professor who was an avid musician at Pittsburg State University which continue to use it until Tong Ming Xi acquired this violin to be presented as their prized collection to be offered to the next aspiring musician.

The maker’s inscription with date and number inside the back on the upper flanks.

Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from

Lyon & Healy in October 1929
Wm. Moenig and Son of Philadelphia in July 1993