Violin by Charles Ernest Thouvenot, London, 1928

About Charles Ernest Thouvenot

Charles Thouvenot is a fascinating maker! Little can be found about him in the usual reference books, and so we are pleased to have been able to conduct a little archival research to put his work into context. Born in Mirecourt, he trained in that town before moving to London some time before 1901 to work for J. & A. Beare on Wardour Street.

Thouvenot settled permanently in London, where he remained for the rest of his life. He died in 1937 and is buried in Islington and St Pancras Cemetery. His rigorous early training in the French school and his job at the heart of the world's fine violin trade stand his work alongside more well-known makers such as C.F. Langonet and Auguste Delunet.

About the violin

This violin was made in London in 1928 and is closely modelled after the instruments of Guadagnini. The model is so accurate that we feel the instrument must be a bench copy of an example of his Milan period work.

The violin has a one-piece back of quarter-sawn maple of irregular figure. The scroll is of similar wood and the ribs are more narrowly-flamed. The front is two pieces of characterful spruce and the varnish is a rich red which holds true to the varnish of Guadagnini's Milanese period.

The violin has a length of back of 355 mm.

How does it sound?

This is an intriguing violin that rewards time spent getting to know it. At first seeming bright and silvery, there is also a huge reserve of warmth tucked away. True to the Guadagnini model, there's no shortage of power!

Condition

The violin is in very good condition with well-executed minor repairs.

More information

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