Nicolas Lupot, Paris 1822

​A Definitive Masterpiece on the market for the first time in almost 70 years

​Nicolas Lupot (b.1758, d.1824) is referred to as the “French Stradivari”. Besides the stylistic similarities and the fact that Lupot took his inspiration directly from Stradivari’s work, the moniker also refers to the unparalleled level of quality reached by any subsequent French maker. Lupot remains unsurpassed as the greatest French Luthier, even above Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume. From Childhood, he studied with his father, François Lupot, court violinmaker to the Duke of Württemburg. In 1794, during one of the most dynamic periods in the history of France, Lupot moved to Paris to work for renowned maker, François Pique, before founding his own atelier in 1798. He quickly established himself as one of the greatest luthiers, receiving both imperial and royal appointments during the time of Napoleon and then with the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy. He was appointed violin maker to the king in 1815 and to then to the Royal School of Music in 1816. His successors were many of the most significant makers in the tradition of French violinmaking, including Gand and Bernardel and his influence on Vuillaume is undeniable. Lupot’s instruments were favored by some of the world’s greatest players, including virtuoso and composer Louis Spohr. This violin was featured in a 1947 article of the The Strad magazine wherein it is referred to as one of Lupot’s “finest Stradivari copies”. The violin will be sold with a copy of that issue as well as certificates from Reuning & Son, William Lewis & Son and a written dendrochronology report by Peter Ratcliff. This dendrochronology report references a cross-match with, among other instruments by Lupot made from the same timber, an important 1816 Lupot violin which is in the Ashmolean Museum where the famous “Messiah” Stradivarius is displayed. The provenance of this instrument dates back to the turn of the last century when it was sold to a British amateur by Hart & Sons in London before being purchased by the concertmaster of an important orchestra. More recently, this violin has added another extraordinary chapter in its life as it was stolen and had been missing for more than twenty years before mysteriously resurfacing. One or more articles pertaining to this anecdote will be included with this sale. This specimen has not been on the market for over 65 years. It has had only one rightful owner during that time, a professional violinist who graduated from Juilliard with her undergraduate and master’s degrees. It was purchased by her mother when she was only 13 for $3,000 USD. This is a world class soloist’s instrument which is tonally superb in every way. This violin is fully characteristic of Lupot’s best work and is undisputedly one of the greatest French violins ever made. It is a rare treasure, the likes of which are found perhaps only once in a lifetime. 

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Portrait of Nicolas Lupot by Henrietta Lorimer, 1805

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