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89:

A VIOLIN BY AUGUSTE SÉBASTIEN PHILIPPE BERNARDEL père, PARIS, 1839

89: A VIOLIN BY AUGUSTE SÉBASTIEN PHILIPPE BERNARDEL père, PARIS, 1839


Labeled, "Fait pour l'exposition de Lorraine 1839, médaille de bronze à l'exposition de 1834, médaille d'argent de l'académie de l'industrie 1837, Bernardel luthier élève de Lupot, Rue Croix des Petits Champs no 23, à Paris 1839."

Inscribed to the inside back, "Fait à Paris l'an 1839, Rue Croix des Petits Champs no 23, Bernardel." and, "Bernardel." 

LOB: 35.9 cm

This violin is a very fine example, made by Auguste Sébastien Bernardel for the Lorraine Exposition in 1839. Renowned for his meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, Bernardel Père apprenticed in Mirecourt, before relocating to Paris where he first worked for both Nicolas Lupot and Charles François Gand and later established his own workshop. This violin is built on a Stradivari model and crafted from highly attractive wood, featuring a one-piece back of beautifully flamed maple. In excellent condition and finished with a warm orange-red-brown varnish, this violin is both visually striking and produces a positive, powerful and well rounded sound.
  • Proforma Certificate: Jason Price, New York, NY (Mar 13 2026)
  • Dendrochronology report: Peter Ratcliff, London (Jul 9 2024) Dates the latest ring of the bass and treble side as 1762 and 1805, respectively.
  • Certificate: Jean-Jacques Rampal (photocopy), Paris (Jul 16 2010)

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Ending on Mar 30 at
2:53 PM London / 3:53 PM Berlin / 9:53 AM New York

Estimate: £25,000–40,000

Bidding opens Mar 19, 2026 11:00 AM GMT

★ WATCH ITEM

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‡ - TI - antique - additional 5% import VAT charged on the hammer
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