Mirecourt, France
Claude & Francois Pailliot

Wood, ebony
ca. 1770’s-1830’s
Length 23.5 in
Strings – Lutes – Violin Family

Stamped inside on the wood: Pailliot, a Paris
Stamped on Bridge: DE LUXE / AUBERT / A / MIRECOURT / FRANCE

An antique French violin by brothers Pailliot.  The two brothers – Claude & Francois Pailliot were violin makers in Mirecourt, France, who created their beautiful violins around the period 1770 to 1830.  The wood selection for the top is a one-piece wide grain spruce, and for the back is a very nice one piece flamed maple. The f-holes are nicely positioned and the purfling is masterly inlaid. The scroll is elegant and very well executed. Overall, the workmanship is excellent and the orange varnish quality is superb. This violin was recently set up with a replacement chinrest, however, the original is still in the case with two violin bows.  Although Pailliot instruments were branded as though coming from Paris, they were really made at Mirecourt by the two Pailliot brothers (Claude and Francois).