Italy School
Nestor Dominique Audinot
Mirecourt, Paris, 1842–1920
Nestor Dominique Audinot (1842-1920) was a prolific French luthier, son and pupil of Léopold Audinot, who worked with Sébastian Vuillaume before establishing his own successful business in Paris. Known for instruments of consistent quality, often based on Guarneri del Gesù models, and for his fine spirit varnish, he produced around 600 instruments before retiring in 1908.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Labelled Gand et Bernardel, table restoration | December 2024 | £13,462 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's original label n. 654, perfect condition | November 2024 | £13,915 |
| Violin | Labelled N. Audinot, 17 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, Année 1893 No. 968 | October 2024 | £11,035 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Paris, 1901 n°716 | December 2011 | £8,983 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm 1888 | June 2011 | £3,360 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm 1883 n°497 | March 2011 | £263 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1896 n°658 | March 2011 | £12,000 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1884 | March 2011 | £6,250 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Paris, 1892 n°501 | March 2011 | £6,000 |
| Cello | 75.5 cm Paris, 1869 | October 2010 | £7,800 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1881 | October 2009 | £8,898 |
| Cello | 76.2 cm Paris, 1898 | October 2009 | £21,250 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Paris, 1890 c. (restored cracks) | June 2009 | £5,808 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Made in Paris,1905 and revarnished by "Greilsanner" Lucien, 1912 | December 2008 | £6,962 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Paris, 1898 | October 2008 | £5,558 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Paris, 1880 c. | May 2008 | £5,687 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1881 | March 2008 | £6,250 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1907 | March 2007 | £5,750 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Paris, 1899 [Workshop of] | March 2007 | £4,888 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, late 19th C. [Workshop of] | November 2006 | £4,560 |
| Violin | 35.1 cm Paris, 1899 | October 2006 | £3,881 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1899 | July 2006 | £8,400 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Paris, 1881 | May 2006 | £6,132 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm [Workshop of] | February 2006 | £2,485 |
| Violin | Paris, 1898 #607 | November 2005 | £2,526 |
| Violin | Paris, 1880 | November 2005 | £7,800 |
| Violin | France, late-19th C. | November 2005 | £3,360 |
| Violin | France, 1891 | April 2004 | £5,049 |
| Violin | 1881 | June 2003 | £5,666 |
| Viola | 39.8 cm 1881 | June 2002 | £6,307 |
| Violin | 1900 | December 2001 | £3,972 |
| Violin | 1899 | June 2000 | £6,636 |
| Violin | 1893 | November 1999 | £11,500 |
| Violin | 1879 | November 1998 | £5,750 |
| Violin | 1868 | March 1996 | £6,210 |
| Violin | 1887 | October 1995 | £2,990 |
| Violin | 1881 | November 1994 | £8,050 |
| Violin | 1881 | March 1994 | £8,800 |
| Violin | 1880 c. | July 1993 | £6,785 |
| Violin | 1882 | July 1993 | £5,405 |
| Cello | 1898 | June 1989 | £10,450 |
| Viola | 41.4 cm 1879 | March 1989 | £3,872 |
| Violin | 1886 | November 1987 | £3,080 |
| Cello | 1888 | November 1987 | £5,500 |
| Violin | 1886 | November 1987 | £4,620 |
| Violin | 1883 | May 1985 | £2,860 |
| Violin | 1875-99 | June 1984 | £1,385 |
| Violin | 1879 | May 1983 | £1,980 |
Maker Overview
Life
Nestor Dominique Audinot (1842-1920) was born on December 12, 1842, in Mirecourt and died in 1920 in Paris. He was the son and pupil of Léopold Audinot. From 1863 to 1868, he worked with Sébastian Vuillaume in Paris. In 1868, he established his own shop at 17 Faubourg St Denis. Upon Vuillaume's death in 1875, Nestor Dominique Audinot returned to take over his business at 17 Boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle. He retired in 1908, passing the firm to E. Corvisier.
Characteristics
- Prolific Maker
- He was a prolific maker, producing approximately 600 instruments, or about 588 instruments during thirty years' work.
- Quality
- His instruments are of consistent quality and reach a high standard of excellence.
- Models
- Instruments were made precisely to reliable classical models, most commonly late Guarneri del Gesù.
- Varnish
- He applied a fine, even, and transparent orange to red spirit varnish, and, he devoted special care to the study of varnish. Cecie Stainer also notes he experimented largely in varnishes.
- Skills
- He was a skilled violin maker and a sought-after repairer, and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also considers him a capable bow maker.
- Audinot
Luthier
Élève de Vuillaume
Paris. Faubourg St. Denis Audinot
17 Boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle
Année 1899 no. 693John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: He was the son and pupil of Léopold Audinot.
- Training: He worked with Sébastian Vuillaume in Paris from 1863 to 1868.
- Succession: Upon his retirement in 1908, he passed his firm to E. Corvisier.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
Nestor Dominique Born 1842 Mirecourt, died 1920 Paris. Son and pupil of Léopold Audinot. Worked with Sébastian Vuillaume in Paris 1863-1868. Established his own shop at 17 Faubourg St Denis but on Vuillaume’s death in 1875 returned to take over his business at 17 Boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle. Retired on independent means in 1908, passing the firm to E. Corvisier. A prolific maker, his instruments are of consistent quality and made precisely to reliable classical models, most commonly late Guarneri del Gesù. Fine even and transparent orange to red spirit varnish. Audinot / Luthier / Élève de Vuillaume / Paris. Faubourg St. Denis Audinot / 17 Boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle / Année 1899 no. 693
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Nachdem er bei seinem Vater Leopold A. ausgelernt hatte, kam er 1863
nach Paris zu Seb. Vuillaume und machte sich 1868 in der Rue Faubourg
St. Denis 17 selbstständig Nach 1875 wurde er S. Vuillaume’s Nachfolger und
wohnt jetzt Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle 17. Er ist ein ebenso geschickter
Geigenmacher als gesuchter Reparateur und wendet dem Studium des Lacks
seine besondere Sorgfalt zu. Er hat etwa 600 Instrumente gebaut und gilt
auch als ein tüchtiger Bogenmacher.
Cecie Stainer+
b. Dec. 12, 1842, Mirecourt. Apprenticed to his father there. 1863-68, worked under Sebastien Vuillaume in Paris, succeeded to his business in 1875 at 17 Boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle. He has experimented largely in varnishes. Has made about 588 instruments during thirty years’ work, all of which reach a high standard of excellence.
and “N. Audinot, 17, Boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle, annee 18—.”
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Working in Mirecourt at the same time
(fils) Acoulon worked 1913–1930
(Pingrier) Frederic Pingrie worked 1895
A. Blondelet worked 1850–1865
A. Morhange worked 1919
Adolphe Dupary 1870–1940
Aimable Antoine Thouvenel 1815–1890
Albert Cunin 1865–1890