Identify rope edge binding violin

[JayKay]

I’m trying to identify the maker of my grandfather‘s violin. He made many of the parts himself including the fingerboard, tuning pegs, chin rest, and tailpiece. The body of the violin is unknown maker. It’s at least 125 years old but likely much older. It has distinct rope edge double purfling or possibly rope edge binding. On the top and the bottom. Picture included. Any help in identifying the maker is appreciated!

[Foldejal]

I wonder how the finetuner works...

[jacobsaunders]

The violin is a product of the Markneukirchen/Schönbach area cottage industry, end of 19thC.

[Christopher Jacoby]

I like it!

[deans]

Looks like the family of instruments that usually have a "Panormo" or "Lupot" label. I'm not sure they arent French. Is it fairly large?

[Wood Butcher]

First time I’ve seen anyone replace the fingerboard with snakewood, so that it matched the tailpiece, and presumably pegs.
It’s also the first time I have seen triangle pegs.

I would think it is from Markneukirchen, and at some point had a neck repair in America 

[JayKay]

@Wood Butcher The triangle pegs, tailpiece, chinrest, and fingerboard were my grandpas own thing. He was not a luthier and did not make violins, he just wanted to have a nice instrument and made the parts for his own enjoyment and to play the violin. I believe he made the bow too. I can send a pic if interested. Many performers I know have commented on it being a unique folk instrument. Some have offered to buy those parts of it . (not for sale haha). And yes, the neck was repaired later when my dad aquired it. 

[jacobsaunders]

Re. your PM.

There isn’t really a fat lot to tell you about the violin. During the late 19thC in the “Musikwinkel” around Markneukirchen, there was an enormous cottage industry, with an annual production of well over 100,000 instruments, which supplied the world. Wholesalers (for instance Pfretschner) listed violins such as yours as “fancy instruments”. The idea, or design can be seen back in the 18thC when violin making was still an individual craft, rather than an industry, for instance with Michael Klotz, which I illustrated here https://maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/topic/358588-michael-klotz-grandson-of-mathias-generation/

[tetler]

I would want to see more pictures of the corners and rib joints. Doesn't look like the typical built-on-back corners. I wonder if it could be French.

[Blank face]

In my eyes a typical Markneukirchen edgework, called Schnurrand. French violins have this inlays usually at a certain distance from the edge, often with mop/abalone, like here (though this seems to be German, too): https://maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/topic/359158-violin-with-mother-of-pearl-on-the-purfling-need-more-info/

Or here, misunderstood as German:https://maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/topic/338920-an-antique-violin-for-review/

Here's a Derazey fractional featuring this decoration: https://viaductviolins.com/archive.php?action=inline_search&search=3654

 

 

[David Burgess]

On 3/24/2025 at 10:59 AM, Wood Butcher said:

and at some point had a neck repair in America 

Ouch!

[deans]

2 hours ago, Blank face said:

n my eyes a typical Markneukirchen edgework,

I see what you mean, I looked too quickly. I also just happened to see one on ebay that was I thought was more French-like.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/127001255494

[Chamberlain]

Thank you for sharing this one. I love its look and special story! The edging work and corner details look nicer than the ones I usually see. 
I’m wondering if there would be a way to recreate the pattern and coloring across the old repair to blend that a little more. Or just love it’s story and go with it. 

[Wood Butcher]

On 3/25/2025 at 3:25 PM, David Burgess said:

Ouch!

I mainly threw that in to please Jacob 

[Ingram.fan]

On 3/25/2025 at 7:23 AM, JayKay said:

@Wood Butcher The triangle pegs, tailpiece, chinrest, and fingerboard were my grandpas own thing. He was not a luthier and did not make violins, he just wanted to have a nice instrument and made the parts for his own enjoyment and to play the violin. I believe he made the bow too. I can send a pic if interested. Many performers I know have commented on it being a unique folk instrument. Some have offered to buy those parts of it . (not for sale haha). And yes, the neck was repaired later when my dad aquired it. 

Would it be at all possible for you to upload some more detailed photos of the tailpiece and chin rest? I’m especially curious about the tailpiece and the layout of the mechanics. Thanks