violin with ribs let into back ID

[mendicus]

LOB is 364mm, stop length 19,5-19,7cm,varnish where remains is very nice thick darker red with crackles(e.g.in scroll), ribs are let into channel on back but I can't see plateau from through neck, there is chapel in pegbox. From what I found on web, because of ribs let into back it could be old Paris, Flemish or Turin(don't think it is old Fussen).LOB and chapel would point to Paris, ff more to Turin, varnish not sure, scroll doesn't look to me French. Or maybe I am all wrong.

[Michael Appleman]

Old French, I'd say. Something like what's usually called Boquay school.

[mendicus]

1 hour ago, Michael Appleman said:

Old French, I'd say. Something like what's usually called Boquay school.

Thanks, Does it mean that it was probably made around 1700-1730?

[martin swan]

This is Michael's call, but I would have said more 2nd half of the 18thC ...

[Michael Appleman]

The varnish, the "swirly" Amati inspired f-holes and something about the scroll make me think pre 1750 if not pre 1730. The thick craquelled red stuff started disappearing in Paris makers ca. 1730 according to JF Schmidt. I came across something like this in a friend's shop here, and he was thinking like you, Martin, 2nd half of the 18thc. while I had a hunch it was earlier. I'll check in with him to see what Rampal finally said. 

[martin swan]

It would be very interesting to find out ...

The f-holes are very nice - to be honest it was the back length that made me think later.

[jacobsaunders]

.We had a thread to this subject a while ago. Although my Claude Touly discussed here

is obviously a different maker (alone the corners are the exact opposite), you could cite it, re your question about the date/age.

 

[jandepora]

 I don't know why but I see resemblances with this mine. As news about my violin Serge Boyer told me that seeing the pictures I sent him, he thought about Vaillant or Medard school

 

[Freddam]

Hi Mendicus, I found this old post of yours and... I feel like I wrote it 6 years later! I am in the same condition as you! Italian scroll, French body, Flemish f! I am in great confusion! You can, I'd love your opinion on my instrument, here's the link,Thanks

Violin 18th century. - The Pegbox - Maestronet Forums

 

LOB= 35,9     upper bouts=16,4    middle bouts= 10,8    lower=20,3

Diapason= 19,3     M= 13,7

[Ratcliffiddles]

On 5/22/2025 at 6:17 PM, Freddam said:

Hi Mendicus, I found this old post of yours and... I feel like I wrote it 6 years later! I am in the same condition as you! Italian scroll, French body, Flemish f! I am in great confusion! You can, I'd love your opinion on my instrument, here's the link,Thanks

Violin 18th century. - The Pegbox - Maestronet Forums

 

LOB= 35,9     upper bouts=16,4    middle bouts= 10,8    lower=20,3

Diapason= 19,3     M= 13,7

Why Italian scroll? it looks French to me, including the "chapelle".

[Freddam]

Alcuni esperti mi hanno detto che nella testa l'impronta italiana è forte, questo ha influenzato molti, attribuendola a importanti liutai piemontesi italiani del XVIII secolo (Cappa, Spirito Sorsana), anche se la cassa si è chiaramente discostata.    

 

[christian bayon]

On 10/1/2019 at 10:37 AM, Michael Appleman said:

Old French, I'd say. Something like what's usually called Boquay school.

Agree completely, LOB up to 360 are not unusual on that school.