I think this one must be french ;)

[bcncello]

Well, despite my inexperienced eyes, this violin shape looks to me of a different school than that of the Shoenbach / Markneukirchen one I'm so used to be told of.

 

Opinions?

 

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Hochwertige-alte-franzosische-Geige-von-Fracois-Barbe-ca-1850-WERT-8000-12000-/171013120697?pt=Streich_und_Zupfinstrumente&hash=item27d12d22b9

[jacobsaunders]

Quite right, it’s from Mirecourt for a change. With a body length of 36,5cm, it might not fit in every violin case.

It looks a bit as though the soundpost had made its way through the belly at some stage in the past(?)

[martin swan]

I had a Barbé for a few weeks which was wrongly identified by Hills in the 60s as a Gand & Bernardel - that might give an indication of the quality of the work, great wood, beautiful soft but shiny honey-coloured varnish, lovely scroll.

This violin however looks like a rather crude Mirecourt effort, better than some, worse than many.

Roland Terrier's site mentions F.Barbé as a trade name of Laberte, perhaps that's a clue ....

[Conor Russell]

I worry when I see worm damage like that in the ribs. You can never be sure how far it goes, especially with a strong varnish. There could be tracks all over the place, just beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.

[bcncello]

Well so I got it right

 

Not for me, but I do like the work around the f-holes, the corners and the varnish hue...they look more 'elegant'. Don't like the scroll however

[Michael Richwine]

I like the scroll. What is it you don't like?

[martin swan]

I believe this is a Barbé ...

[Addie]

The button in the OP bothers me. I don’t like the scroll either. Too round.

Martin’s does have lovely varnish.

[bcncello]

I like the scroll. What is it you don't like?

Not that I hated it, but found it somewhat inexpressive compared to the body (amteur opinion however). Perhaps is as Addie said: it may be too round.

 

Martin thanks for the pictures, lovely f-holes and varnish color

[skywater]

This used to be my violin. Violin had worm damage.