CHARLES W. LIU FINE VIOLINS
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A Fine French Violin by Nicolas Darche, Aix-La- Chapelle, 1843

​​​This fine violin is by a maker whose work is little known and very rare but who, nevertheless, produced some extraordinary instruments. Nicolas Darche (b. 1815, d.1873) came from a family of French violin makers. He worked for N.F. Vuillaume in Brussels before opening his shop in Aix-la-Chapelle, France (now Aachen, Germany). The renowned Joseph Hel had worked for Darche for some years before his decline. Though a difficult life prevented him from succeeding in business into his later years, he left us with some extraordinary examples of French violinmaking such as this Guarneri model which draws much inspiration from his master, N.F. Vuillaume and from the great Nicolas Lupot as we see in the exquisite materials and superb red varnish on a golden ground which reflects very differently according to lighting conditions. The workmanship is superfine, crisp and clean throughout. This instrument is modeled on a Guarnerius and is of very comfortable dimensions. An interesting detail, and tribute to Darche's meticulous craftsmanship, is the square-shaped locating pin in the back which is bisected diagonally and made of two separate woods. This violin has incredible response, power and directness.

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Detail of the button and idiosyncratic locating pin and purfling. Note the extremely narrow blacks of the purfling and the diamond-shaped pin. 
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Darche Violin in Dramatic Lighting

Salt Lake City:
7450 South State Street, Midvale, UT 84047
Monday
 through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM
Closed Sunday 
​[email protected]

801.255.9636

​
​Los Angeles:
13263 Ventura Blvd. STE 103, Studio City, CA 91604
Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Closed Sunday & Monday
​[email protected]
​818.922.2088
  • About Us
  • Instruments
    • Violins >
      • Student
      • Intermediate >
        • 3/4 Paul Hart
        • 1/2 Paul Hart
      • Ming Jiang Zhu
      • Professional >
        • Up to $10,000 >
          • Voit & Geiger
          • German Violin after Maggini
        • $10,000 - $20,000 >
          • Collin-Mezin fils
          • Stefano Gibertoni, 1996
          • Adriano Spadoni wksp
          • Michael Scoggins
          • Carrie Scoggins
          • Cameron Robertson and Kile Hill
          • ​Laberte-Humbert Frères
        • $20,000 - $50,000 >
          • Paul Bailly
          • Paul Kaul
          • ​​Émile Germain
          • 3/4 N. Vuillaume
          • Nestor Audinot
          • Alberto Blanchi
          • Peter Prier
          • Collin-Mezin pere 189X
        • $50,000 - $200,000 >
          • Paolo De Barbieri
          • Hippolyte Chrétien Silvestre
          • Gand and Bernardel
          • Renato Scrollavezza
        • Fine & Rare Instruments
    • Violas >
      • Student
      • Intermediate >
        • $5,000-$8,000 >
          • A. Vistoli Violas
      • Professional >
        • $8,000 and Up >
          • David Folland
          • Douglas Bearden
          • Ivan Zgradic
          • Lawrence Furse c.1990
          • Lawrence Furse 2006
          • Lawrence Furse 2019
          • Kyle Mincey
    • Cellos >
      • Student
      • Intermediate >
        • $5,000-$10,000
      • Professional >
        • ​Gunther Reuter
        • Paul Bisch
    • Basses
    • Recently Sold >
      • Nicolas Lupot
      • Silvestre et Maucotel
      • Giovanni Pallaver
      • Jean Striebig
      • Petrus Gaggini
      • Alfredo Primavera
      • Leopold Widhalm
      • Nicolas Vuillaume 'Stentor 1'
      • Carl Becker & Son
      • Igino Sderci
      • Nicolas Darche Violin
      • Charles Liu SLC 1990
      • Jehanne H. Blaise
      • Andras Nagy
      • Jan Szlachtowski Cello
    • Previous Highlights
    • Out of State Trials
    • Trade In Policy
  • Bows
  • Instrument Rentals
    • Short Term Rentals
    • Studio Rentals
  • Repairs & Services
    • Repairs / Restorations
    • Bow Rehairs
    • Consignments
    • Instrument Appraisals
  • Articles
    • Leandro Bisiach I
    • Old & New Instruments
    • Care and Maintenance
    • Purchasing Tips
    • Choice of Wood
    • Previous Events >
      • TMEA 2025
      • ​​Montecito International Music Festival
      • LA Suzuki Institute 2024
  • FAQ
  • Photos
    • Utah Shop photos
    • Client photos
    • California Shop photos
  • Strad Competition
  • Links
  • Special Offers/ Careers
    • Careers
  • Store Hours and Information
  • Teacher Recommendations
  • Accessories