Paul Bailly Violin Paris c.1900

This violin was made by Paul Bailly in Paris around the turn of the century. 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. 

It is labelled "Paul Bailly luthier / ancien élève de J-B. Vuillaume", autographed on the right-hand side. The body measures 357mm along the back, 166mm across the upper bouts and 206mm across the lower bouts. It has a one-piece back of moderately flamed slab-cut maple with a medium curl, with matching ribs and scroll. The top is of a finely grained spruce which broadens towards the edges, and the instrument has an amber-brown varnish with rosewood fittings. It is in good condition and sold with a certificate of authenticity from Jean-Jacques Rampal.

The violin has an extraordinarily wide sound -- spacious, and with lots of internal energy to maintain a solid core of sound in every register and dynamic. It balances this width with crystal clear consonants and articulation, and a passive resonance that imbues its tone with a natural shine. It is set up with a nice, moderately high action, which lets the violin project very well and allows the player to enjoy the tactile feedback from the strings for tone and accurate intonation, without being difficult to play. It would be best suited to someone presenting soloistic repertoire or performing in an ensemble. 

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