Labelled Carlo Steffani Violin Mantova, Italy 1711
This is a violin labelled Carlo Steffani. The timber for this violin was cut around 1800 in the Southern Alps.
Lambert-Humbert Frères firm (fl. 1876 – 1969) was a major violin manufacturer in Mirecourt, offering a wide range of models and quality levels, established in 1876 by violin-making brothers Maurice-Emile and Pierre Alexis Auguste Laberte.
Lambert-Humbert Frères firm (fl. 1876 – 1969) was a major violin manufacturer in Mirecourt, offering a wide range of models and quality levels.
This Mirecourt firm was established in 1876 by violin-making brothers Maurice-Emile and Pierre Alexis Auguste Laberte. Initially, it manufactured only factory instruments, some of which had fictitious labels like 'J. Didelot'.
In the early 20th century, Marc Laberte expanded the selection of high-quality instruments by including those from Joseph Aubry, Charles Brugere, Camille Poirson, and Georges Apparut, all of whom were reputable makers.
In 1902, Apparut joined Laberte firm as the leader of “artistic” production and remained until 1923. By 1919, Laberte had around 400 workers and was renamed “Laberte et Magnié” or “L.F.M.” after violin maker Fourier Magnié joined. The company acquired the acclaimed brand “A La Ville de Cremone” from Paul Mangenot in 1927.
The Mirecourt instrument-making industry declined in the mid-20th century, causing all three major firms to stop production in the 1960s. Laberte closed in 1969 after Philippe Laberte's death.
This is a violin labelled Carlo Steffani. The timber for this violin was cut around 1800 in the Southern Alps.
This violin features the original label "Made by Ian W. Clarke, Biddeston, Australia. March 1982," identifying it as a handcrafted Australian violin completed in March 1982. Ian W. Clarke (born 1948) is one of Australia's leading contemporary luthiers, having graduated with distinction from the Newark School of Violin Making after winning a Silver Medal at the Cremona Triennale. Since returning to Queensland in 1981, he has continued to build and restore fine stringed instruments from his Biddeston workshop. Crafted during the early years of his Australian career, this violin offers documented provenance, outstanding craftsmanship, and the enduring appeal of an instrument made by one of Australia's most respected living violin makers.
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.
The Rainer W. Leonhardt 2025 "November Bird" Violin is a handcrafted master violin made in Mittenwald, Germany, featuring a stunning one-piece bird's-eye maple back, a two-piece European spruce top, and a beautifully antiqued dark brown spirit varnish. Built from carefully selected tonewoods and crafted with traditional German craftsmanship, it delivers a warm, responsive tone with excellent projection.
Rainer W. Leonhardt is a fourth-generation master violin maker whose family workshop has been producing fine string instruments since 1926. Based in the historic violin-making town of Mittenwald, Germany, Leonhardt is renowned for combining traditional craftsmanship with exceptional tonal quality, creating instruments that are appreciated by musicians around the world.
Marc Laberte (1880–1963) was trained as a violin maker and joined the family company in 1911. By 1919, the Laberte firm had around 400 craftsmen and was successful. However, the war in 1942 devastated the business, leading to its closure. Despite this, Laberte was known for his exceptional instruments and bows, earning several honours and medals.
This violin has the original Marc Laberte label and bears the number #3010. A second label states Grand Prix Paris 1931, Exposition Internationale Bruxelles 1935 Membre Du Jury, and Exposition Internationale New York 1939. The prices they won before and during the start of the world war 2.
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.
This is an A. Dieudonne Violin made in Mirecourt in about 1933. Amédée Dominique Dieudonné is a French luthier who specializes in copying the works of Cremona masters.
This is a Charles Claudot Violin. The name Claudot was a popular clan of luthiers in France who have been making violins from the 16th up to the 20th century.