We have here a Collin - Mezin Violin made in Paris in 1911. Charles Jean Baptiste Collin-Mezin is a French violin maker who started at a young age under the tutelage of his father, Claud-Nicolas Collin. His own workshop started in 1867 at the 14 and 18 rue du Faubourg Poissonnièr in France.
Charles Jean Baptiste Collin-Mezin was born in Mirecourt, France in 1841. He came from a line of luthiers where his father became his first apprenticeship. According to some sources, he worked in the workshop of Nicolas-François Vuillaume in Brussels for a certain period. He moved to Paris and started his own shop in 1868 in which he was established as one of the premier French luthiers in his time. That is because many considered his instruments superior to other new instruments. He created various instruments such as violins, violas, cellos, and basses. He is also a good bow maker. Collin – Mezin died in Paris in 1923.
POA This violin, attributed to Anselmo Bellosio (1743-1793) in Venice, was acquired by Animato Strings and features previous repairs, including a new bass bar installed by A. Eisenstein in New York, as noted in a 1944 magazine clip. After cleaning and minor seam repairs, it produces a rich, full sound and is available for sale. Born into a family of organ makers, Bellosio began crafting violins around 1770 and took over Giorgio Serafin’s workshop in 1777. This particular instrument, dated 1768, reflects his early craftsmanship and notable deep tone, marking him as a significant figure in the 18th-century Venetian violin-making tradition before his passing at 50.
This Ryszard Osowski Gold model violin was built in the finest craftsmanship by Ryzard Osowski in Forchheim, Germany, dated 2024.
Ryszard Osowski, born in 1966, is a Polish luthier who moved to Muggendorf, Germany in 1993. Living with his uncle, he learned the local tradition of building stringed instruments and eventually perfected the sound and quality of his instruments after 25 years of experimentation. He now focuses on crafting advanced violins while occasionally creating cellos and violas.
Introducing the Maurice Bourguignon Violin made in 1927 in Brussels. Maurice Bourguignon is a French luthier who received several awards, medals, and diplomas for his work in various exhibitions. He was known for his very refined work in classical models characterized by a good red varnish.
Collin-Mezin Violin dated 1887. This as an unusual model for a Collin-Mezin violin, but the workmanship, the original label, and Collin-Mezin's authentic signature verify the maker.
This 7/8 size violin is labelled Thomas Challoner who worked in Chester, England around 1790. Thomas Challoner was one of the known violin makers in the 18th century.