Violin labelled Soriot, Mirecourt, circa 1910
This violin has now sold.
About Mirecourt violin making
Mirecourt is located in the Vosges area of north-eastern France and has been famous for its luthiers since the end of the 16th century. By the twentieth century Mirecourt was producing around 80,000 instruments a year.
Mirecourt instruments from this period generally display excellent, neat craftsmanship and tone wood of good quality: this violin is a good example of both characteristics.
About the violin
The violin was made in Mirecourt around 1910. It is modelled after Stradivari, as is typical of Mirecourt instruments of the period.
The violin has a two piece back of irregularly-flamed maple. The ribs and scroll are of narrower grain. The front is two pieces of fine-grained spruce and the varnish is an attractive golden-brown.
The violin has a length of back of 359 mm.
How does it sound?
This violin has all of the power that we associate with Mirecourt Strad models, however it has a flexibility of character that isn't always available in instruments of this school. It is even across the strings and projects well, speaking at even the most intimate of dynamics. Having said this, it really excels at the other end of the spectrum: this is a violin that enjoys singing out!
Condition
The violin is in very good condition.