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11:

A CELLO BY HILAIRE DARCHE, BRUSSELS, 1923

11: A CELLO BY HILAIRE DARCHE, BRUSSELS, 1923


Labeled, "Hilaire Darche, Luthier du Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles, l'an 1923."

Branded to the inside back, "H. Darche à Bruxelles Alagarenne Bruxelles." Inscribed to the inside top, "H. Darche à Alagarenne Bruxelles 1923." 

LOB: 75.6 cm

This cello reflects Darche's refined, classically oriented approach to making. As a model, he used Stradivari's superb forma-b, although a generation earlier, the model of choice in Brussels might have been a longer patter Stradivari given the influence of the famous Belgian cellist Adrien Servais who played a Stradivari with a back length of 78.5 cm. The forma-b model is well proportioned, with controlled arching and cleanly articulated outlines, emphasizing balance and structural clarity. The varnish on this cello is a warm reddish-brown of even texture, lending the instrument a composed and elegant appearance. Instruments from this period illustrate Darche’s reputation for careful workmanship and musical potentiality.
  • Proforma Certificate: Jason Price, New York, NY (Feb 18 2026)
  • Dendrochronology report: Sondre Lie, Oslo (Feb 13 2026) Dates the latest ring of the bass and treble side as 1882 and 1883, respectively.

View Documents


Ending on Mar 5 at
11:22 AM New York / 4:22 PM London / 5:22 PM Berlin

Estimate: $30,000–50,000

Bidding opens Feb 24, 2026 11:00 AM EST

★ WATCH ITEM

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