Antoine Saint-Paul
worked 1768–1790
Antoine Saint-Paul, active in Paris from approximately 1768 to 1790, was a luthier, dealer, and successor to Louis Guersan. He operated his shop, 'Au luth royal', on the rue des Fossés-Saint-Germain-des-Prés. While primarily a dealer, he also produced instruments, including violins, alto-violas, basses, and contre-basses, often in the style of Bocquay, though his work was noted for its small model, poor quality, and pale yellow varnish. He was a sworn master of the Parisian violin makers' guild in 1768.
Maker Overview
Life
Antoine SAINT-PAUL (circa. 1768-1790) worked in Paris, France. He was the grandson of Pierre Saint-Paul's The Brompton’s Book of Violin & Bow Makers, though Willibald Leo Lütgendorff's Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart suggests he was Pierre's son. Antoine Saint-Paul was the son-in-law and successor to Louis Guersan, operating at the sign 'A la Lyre d'Apollon' or 'Au luth royal' on the rue des Fossés-Saint-Germain-des-Prés, near the Comédie Française. He was considered more of a dealer and shopkeeper than a maker himself, though he did produce instruments. He was a sworn master of the Parisian violin makers' guild for 1768. Labels found include "Antonius Saint-Paul, prope Comoediam / Gallicam Lutetiae, anno 1744" and "Antonius Saint-Paul, prope Comoediam Gallicam, Lutetiae, anno 1772." An advertisement label reads: "Antoine Saint-Paul / Luthier à Paris / au luth royal / rue des Fossés-Saint-Germain-des-Prés./ Il fait et vend toutes sortes / d’instruments de musique, / à savoir:—violons de Crémone, violons de sa façon et de toutes sortes d'auteurs, / alto-violas, basses et contrebasses, etc."
Characteristics
- Instrument Production
- Antoine Saint-Paul made and sold various musical instruments, including violins, alto-violas, basses, and contre-basses.
- Style and Quality
- His violins were often in the manner of Bocquay, described as small models and rather poor in quality, featuring an ugly pale yellow varnish.
- Distinctive Features
- He frequently incorporated carved heads on the pegboxes of his instruments, though Lütgendorff questions if these were his own work.
- Antonius Saint-Paul, prope Comoediam
Gallicam Lutetiae, anno 1744John Dilworth - Antoine Saint-Paul
Luthier à Paris
au luth royal
rue des Fossés-Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Il fait et vend toutes sortes
d’instruments de musique,
à savoir:—violons de Crémone, violons de sa façon et de toutes sortes d’auteurs,
alto-violas, basses et contrebasses, etcJohn Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship and Succession: Antoine Saint-Paul was the son-in-law and direct successor to Louis Guersan, indicating a continuation of Guersan's workshop and possibly his traditions.
- Family Lineage: As the grandson (or son) of Pierre Saint-Paul, he was part of a family tradition of instrument making.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SAINT-PAUL, Antoine Worked circa. 1768-1790 Paris France. Grandson of Pierre Saint-Paul, below. Son-in-law and successor to Guersan at the sign ‘A la Lyre d’Apollon’ on the rue des Fossés. Considered as a dealer and shop keeper rather than a maker himself. Violins in the manner of Bocquay. Small model and rather poor with ugly pale yellow varnish. Antonius Saint-Paul, prope Comoediam / Gallicam Lutetiae, anno 1744 Antoine Saint-Paul / Luthier à Paris / au luth royal / rue des Fossés-Saint-Germain-des-Prés./ Il fait et vend toutes sortes / d’instruments de musique, / à savoir:—violons de Crémone, violons de sa façon et de toutes sortes d’auteurs, / alto-violas, basses et contrebasses, etc.
Cecie Stainer+
A maker in Paris about 1765-90. He was son-in-law and successor of Louis Guersan, and worked at the sign of ” Au luth royal” in the rue des Fosses-Saint-Germain-des-Pres, near the Comedie Francaise, where, as his advertisement says, “il fait et vend toutes sortes d’instruments de musique, Savoir; violons de Cremone, violons de sa facon et de toutes sortes d’auteurs; alto-violas, basses et contrebasses,” &c. In a five-stringed viol, with a carved neck and yellow varnish, is the label: ” Antonius Saint-Paul, prope Comoediam Gallicam, Lutetiae, anno 1772.”
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Wahrscheinlich ein Sohn von Pierre St.-P. Er war der Schwiegersohn und Nachfolger von Guersan und hatte seinen Laden mit dem Schild »Au luth royal« in der Rue des Fossés Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Er betrieb einen ausgedehnten Musikinstrumentenhandel, war aber als Geigenmacher nicht hervorragend. Er versuchte es auch wiederholt, Boquay zu copiren, erreichte ihn aber nie. Sein Lack ist schlecht und von blassgelber Farbe. Ob die geschnitzten Köpfchen, die er am Wirbelkasten gerne anbrachte, seine eigene Arbeit waren, erscheint zweifelhaft. Er war geschworener Meister der Pariser Geigenmacherzunft für 1768.
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.
