Violin by Paul Bailly, London, circa 1895
This violin has now sold.
About Paul Bailly
Considered to be amongst the best of the pupils of J.B. Vuillaume, Paul Bailly was born in Mirecourt in 1844. He served his apprenticeship with Jules Gaillard before going on to Brussels to work for Nicolas François Vuillaume, brother of the more famous Jean-Baptiste. Bailly then went on to work for J.B. Vuillaume in Paris, gaining an enormous amount from the high standards of this workshop and the ready access to the finest Italian instruments.
Following his period in the Vuillaume workshop, Bailly travelled a fair amount, working in England and America before settling permanently in Paris from 1898. Upon his death in 1907 his workshop was inherited by his daughter, Jenny Bailly.
About the violin
The violin was made in London circa 1895 and bears Bailly's signature on the label and on the back. The violin is modelled after the instruments of Stradivari.
The violin has a two piece back of book-matched, quarter-sawn maple with flame descending from the centre joint. The ribs and scroll are of similar wood. The front is two pieces of fine-grained spruce and the varnish is golden-brown in colour.
The violin has a length of back of 356 mm.
How does it sound?
This is a powerhouse of a violin. A brilliant all-rounder, this violin is full throughout its lower end, with plenty of sparkle and projection in its middle and top ranges. In our opinion, the best French instruments from this period make playing the violin feel very easy, and this Paul Bailly fits this trend!
Condition
The violin is in good restored condition and comes with a full condition report.