Paul Bailly Violin London England c.1888

This violin was made by Paul Bailly in 1888 in London, England. Bailly, born in Mirecourt in 1844, was a particularly prominent and productive maker in France in the late 19th and very early 20th Century. Having studied with Jules Galliard and both Nicolas François and Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume -- in Mirecourt, Brussels, and Paris respectively -- he was both well-traveled and well-taught, and carried with him extensive knowledge of the French and Italian traditions of making. After working in America, Reims, and London, he finally settled back in Paris to establish his own workshop in 1899. With his prolific output, it is well-noted that his instruments are quite varied in style and model, but always with "exemplary neatness", as described by William Henley. The violin comes with a certificate of authenticity and photos from Serge and Florent Boyer.

This violin is labelled "10 Médailles Or Vermeil, Argent et Bronze / A Paris, Sydney, Melbourne, ETC. / No. 482 Paul Bailly / Luthier / Ancien Élève de J. B. Vuillaume, de Paris / 47 rue de Trévise Paris". The body measures 356mm along the back, 166mm across the upper bouts and 203mm across the lower bouts. The back is in one-piece of well-flamed maple with a narrow curl and the ribs and scroll have been made to match. The top is made with moderately grained spruce and has been finished with a gold-brown varnish and rosewood fittings. It is in good condition.

This violin has a bold and direct sound. Each note is coloured with vibrancy and energy and carries this across both the high and low registers at any dynamic. This instrument demands very little from the player in terms of being able move easily around the fingerboard and its moderately high action allows it to project well in a space of any size. This violin would be well suited to players at a professional level engaging in solo or chamber performance.

Please contact us if you would like to book an appointment to try this beautiful violin.