KBodel Posted April 5, 2023 Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 My dad bought me this violin when I was 12 (now 40) - I always chose my violins blindfolded when in the shop, so I wasn’t influenced by anything other than the sound….i had no idea it looked like this when I chose it. I hate to think what my dad paid for it as I later found out he was told it was a JB Vuillaume. (He was a farmer and no idea of musical world and went with what he was told). When I got a bit older/wiser I checked the documentation the violin came with and learnt it contained lots of info about the real violins made by Vuillaume and hinted at it being similar but no real certificate/evidence etc that would justify the large sum - I now know - he paid. I didn’t have the heart to let him know it was likely worth very little and as I adored the violin and it saw me through music college and beyond I’ve never felt the need to do anything but play it. However last few years I’ve “retired” from playing and am selling all my instruments/bows. I could do with some help understanding what the heck I’ve got and what I should expect to sell it for. there’s no labels or markings inside. thank you in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Mark Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 Rather than continue being foolish, I'll leave it to others... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HH1978 Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 No idea what it is, but I'd be interested to know the full latin engraving. I can read "I went in the woods" on one side and "sweet" on the other, butI can't make sense of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobsaunders Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 Buying blindfolded is perhaps not such a good idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Merkel Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 6 hours ago, Dr. Mark said: Rather than continue being foolish, I'll leave it to others... It's a Duiffopruggar concept violin, made in France c. 1850, perhaps sold through the Vuillaume shop. How's that Doc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Merkel Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 8 minutes ago, HH1978 said: I can read "I went in the woods" on one side The other side says something about a bear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBodel Posted April 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 14 minutes ago, HH1978 said: No idea what it is, but I'd be interested to know the full latin engraving. I can read "I went in the woods" on one side and "sweet" on the other, butI can't make sense of it. VIVA FVI IN SILVIS DVM MORTVA DVL CE CANO Is it something along the lines of In life I (tree) am silent in death i sings (I think I was told something along those lines but I got chucked out of latin class after Amo Amas Amat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBodel Posted April 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 32 minutes ago, jacobsaunders said: Buying blindfolded is perhaps not such a good idea At 12 when I finally saw it I thought it was so beautiful! (I think kids at my music school and later in music college probably made fun of me for it) but I still love it. I can see why it’s not for everyone though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blank face Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 1 hour ago, jacobsaunders said: Buying blindfolded is perhaps not such a good idea Probably the business model of the shop owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HH1978 Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 Are you sure? I don’t see a word that would translate as “bear”, or relate to one unless “CA” is the beginning of “Callisto”, which seems improbable. Sorry if this is out of topic, it’s kind of a professional deformation as a teacher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodacious Cowboy Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 "Viva fui in silvis mortua dulce cano" "I was alive in the woods, in death I sweetly sing". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HH1978 Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 Thanks! Relates to the wood the violin is made of, “tree” and tree names being feminine in Latin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Bean Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 Are you expecting serious offers here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blank face Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 Accidentally there were several violins of this type discussed here recently, which one could find searching for Duiffobrugcar. They seem to be mid to late 19th century Mirecourt made instruments. Not without value, but rather low in comparison to Vuillaume or Maucotel violins of this design, which are also more regarded as odditys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Richwine Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 The carving on this one is rudimentary compared to the best I've seen. Looks to me like a third-level knock-off of a Derazey. Might want to compare it with the one that Vassar Clements played (good one, imho!), or the one the Violin Shop in Nashville sold lately, This one's nothing to get excited about, but still has a market, especially if it sounds good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violadamore Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 11 hours ago, Bill Merkel said: The other side says something about a bear. Shame on you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blank face Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 Yes, Derazey I had in mind, not Maucotel. This one has nothing to do with the more reknown makers producing such a model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violadamore Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 2 minutes ago, Blank face said: Yes, Derazey I had in mind, not Maucotel. This one has nothing to do with the more reknown makers producing such a model. Blankie, zoom the corners on the side view, and check me on the rib corners. Aren't they BOB? I suspect that it's not French at all, but a Markie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blank face Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 16 minutes ago, Violadamore said: Blankie, zoom the corners on the side view, and check me on the rib corners. Aren't they BOB? I suspect that it's not French at all, but a Markie. Where the rib joints are undamaged they look mitred at my screen, French not German. I’m also unaware of any Markneukirchen made exactly this way, just some with carved heads or castles at the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strad O Various Jr. Posted April 6, 2023 Report Share Posted April 6, 2023 Didn't JTL make this model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBodel Posted April 7, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2023 (edited) so it sounds like it’s something more for ebay rather than serious auctions/shops with the hopes of making a couple of 100 quid and just see if anyone wants it. I’ve an A R Bultitude Gold, Tudor rose bow with it (had a small chip in the top repaired 20yrs so likely not as valuable either) so I think I’ll just offer them both as a joint lot and see what happens. that was helpful, thank you for your input. Edited April 7, 2023 by KBodel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strad O Various Jr. Posted April 7, 2023 Report Share Posted April 7, 2023 Properly set up it could still go for a couple thousand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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