This instrument is supplied with a certificate of provenance by
Jean Jacques Rampal
Expert Près La Cour d'Appel de Paris.
A fine early violin made by Auguste Darte around 1870. Unlabelled but with a certificate of authenticity, see above. This example of his work is in very nice condition, just minor blemishes and some varnish wear.
Auguste Darte was born in 1830. His mother married Nicolas Vuillaume who thus became the stepfather of Auguste. He served his apprenticeship under Nicolas Vuillaume in Mirecourt before joining the Parisian workshop of Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume for a brief period. Auguste Darte returned to Mirecourt to become the collaborator of Nicolas Vuillaume, succeding him in 1865 at the age of 35 years.The two piece maple back of medium-fine flame running horizontally across the back the length 357 mm, the ribs, peg box and scroll of similar flame. The front is in spruce with a rich red-orange varnish on an yellow ground coat. set up with Larsen Virtuoso strings and supplied in a new light weight case. A lovelly mellow tone of character and good projection, Recommended!
