Gustave Villaume violin 1934

Description

This is a very pure Gustave Villaume 1934 violin, made in Nancy by this famous luthier from Eastern France.

Violin Gustave Villaume 1934 - Volute Grave

Violin Gustave Villaume 1934 - Volute Aigu

Violin Gustave Villaume 1934 - Volute Arrière

Violin Gustave Villaume 1934 - Volute 3/4

The violin in brief

Year of manufacture : 1934
Model: Personnel
Strings: Thomastik Rondo
Accessories: ebony with Hill adjuster

Measurements

Bottom length: 358 mm
Measurements: 162 / 114 / 205 mm
Vibrating length: 328 mm
Tuning fork: 195 mm
Handle length: 130 mm
Total weight: 482g (assembled)

Gustave Villaume violin identification 1934

Construction

The table

The soundboard consists of two pieces of spruce, joined at the center. The growth lines are straight and rather wide, very evenly distributed across the width. The soundholes are rather curved and cut at an inward angle.

Le Fond

Le fond se constitue de deux pièces d’érable à ondes moyennes jointée en livre ouvert. Les flammes apparaissent plutôt horizontales La voûte est assez puissante et équilibrée, sans trop de plat ou d’arrondi. Le bouton a une forme plutôt simple et bien proportionnée malgré son asymétrie. Sous celui-ci se retrouve la marque au fer caractéristique de la production « Gustave Villaume – à Nancy » en lettre capitale. La marque se pose difficilement en raison du relief de la voûte.

No pegs are to be found on the bottom.

Violin Gustave Villaume 1934 - Iron mark

Inside the box

L’intérieur de la caisse montre des contre-éclisses et des blocs en épicéa. Nous y trouvons également sept taquets de renfort sur le joint central du fond. Enfin l’étiquette lisant « Gustave Villaume – 9, place du marché ~ Nancy » ainsi que les mentions « Médaille d’Argent Mirecourt 1913 » et « Année 1934. ». Un élément écrit à la main semble indiquer « 9.5 ».

Joint bars

The ribs are curved in maple, in perfect harmony with the back and neck of the violin. The ribs are crowned rather than chevron-shaped, meaning that the flames follow one another around the instrument rather than symmetrically. This is usually the case with one-piece bass ribs, but here they are in two pieces and join on the center line with the back. You will, however, notice a certain offset with the button bore.

Scroll and handle

The characteristic scrollwork reflects the confident hands of the Mirecurtian school of this period. The shapes are strong and solid, with confident chamfers.

The varnish

As for the varnish, it appears to be oil-based, still completely covering the violin in its orange-red coat. The varnish is not very soft, but still shows some movement if we consider the cracks that can be found everywhere. It is, however, in excellent condition.

Instrument status

The instrument is in perfect condition today, with no modifications other than a raised fingerboard to restore playability.

Getting to know the manufacturer better

Gustave Eugène Villaume was born in Mirecourt in 1899. He apprenticed with the famous Léon Mougenot before joining Caressa et Français in Paris. He joined Jacquot in Nancy before founding his own workshop in 1924 at 9, place du marché in the same town.

It was in this workshop that he built his instruments for the rest of his career. He died in Mirecourt in 1983.