“A fine French violin by H.C. Silvestre, Lyon 1874”
£35,000
“An expertly crafted fine French violin, after Guarneri del Gesu by H.C. Silvestre”
About The Violin
About The Violin
An expertly crafted fine French violin by H.C. Silvestre, Lyon 1874. Made with the confidence and precision of a master luthier, Silvestre has paid great attention to the modelling of Guarneri del Gesu and refined it in the inimitable French style of the mid 19th century. Very much of the same school as Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, Lupot and Gand, it is an accurately made instrument, covered with a rich French ruby red oil varnish and lightly antiqued.
The violin bears the original label, “H. C. SILVESTRE NEVAU à Lyon en 1874 No. 67”
Tonally the violin is very strong and precise, with clarity and confidence. Blended with the darker undertones of a Guarneri del Gesu, it is a very balanced and powerful tone.
About The Maker:
The nephew and successor of Pierre and Hippolyte Silvestre, Hippolyte Chrétien trained in Mirecourt before joining his uncles and taking over the business in 1865. He moved the shop to the rue Faubourg-Poisonnière in Paris in 1884 and operated under the name Silvestre Neveau (nephew). Formed an association with Ernest Maucotel which was first called Silvestre & Maucotel and eventually became Maucotel & Descamp.
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Photos of The Violin
Photos of The Violin


















Specifications
Specifications
Measurements:
Back Length: 14 1/16”
Stop Length: 7 5/8”
Neck Length: 5 1/8”
String Length: 12 7/8”
Elevation: 1 1/16”
Upper Bout: 6 11/16”
Centre Bout: 4 7/16”
Lower Bout: 8 1/8”
Materials:
Front:
Fine grain Alpine spruce, widening towards edge of violin
Back, Ribs & Neck:
Light/medium flamed, medium/fine grained European maple
Fingerboard, Topnut & Saddle:
Ebony
Blocks & Linings:
Spruce
Pegs:
Rosewood, Swiss model
Tailpiece:
Ebony, French model
Chinrest:
Ebony, Guarneri model by GEWA
Other Materials:
Maple bridge, spruce soundpost, maple & ebony purfling, Thomastik Pi G,D & A strings, Optima Goldbrokat E string
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