France School
Francois Caussin
Neufchateau, Neufchâteau, Rouvres Chét., Rouvres-la-Chetive, 1794–1866
A French luthier, Francois Caussin (1794-1866) was a pupil of Gaillard in Mirecourt, known for his finely crafted copies of Italian instruments, particularly those inspired by Amati. He established workshops in Rouvres-la-Chétive and Neufchâteau, and his instruments, featuring good quality, antiqued varnish, were often mistaken for genuine Cremonese works due to his exceptional skill in imitation.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Bearing the maker's brand and signature, minor table sound post crack | November 2023 | £725 |
| Violin | Labelled Stradivari, restored head | November 2023 | £5,190 |
| Violin | Labelled Grancino, not original head, minor restoration | November 2023 | £2,825 |
| Cello | Unlabelled, bearing a repair label to the inside back | October 2023 | £31,375 |
| Violin | May 2018 | £359 | |
| Violin | May 2018 | £400 | |
| Violin | May 2013 | £3,500 |
Maker Overview
Life
Francois Caussin (1794-1866) was born in 1794 in Rouvres-la-Chétive and died in 1866 in Neufchâteau, Vosges, France. in The Brompton’s Book of Violin & Bow Makers, he was a pupil of Gaillard in Mirecourt. He established an atelier in his hometown of Rouvres-la-Chétive in 1815, later moving to Neufchâteau after 1830. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart that Caussin came annually to Paris with his violins, which were easily sold to dealers due to their good tone. Lütgendorff also mentions the possibility of a Nicolas Caussin.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- He produced finely worked copies, frequently inspired by Amati.
- Varnish
- Dilworth describes his varnish as good quality, usually applied in a shaded 'antiqued' manner, thin, and not highly reflective. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff adds that he was particularly skillful at imitating old varnish with all its accidental flaws.
- Models
- Lütgendorff states that he mostly built after a small model.
- Experimental Forms
- Dilworth also notes that he worked on some bizarre experimental forms.
- Reputation
- Lütgendorff remarks that many who believe they possess a genuine Cremonese instrument actually have a 'Caussin', highlighting his exceptional skill in imitation.
- Sound Quality
- His instruments were known to have good tone.
- Branding
- Instruments were branded 'Caussin' or 'Caussin Luthier Neufchâteau (Vosges)'.
Influence and legacy
- Training: He was a pupil of Gaillard in Mirecourt.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
CAUSSIN, François Born 1794 Rouvres-la-Chétive, died 1866 Neufchâteau,Vosges France. Pupil of Gaillard in Mirecourt. Established an atelier in his home town in 1815, moving to Neufchâteau after 1830. Finely worked copies, frequently of Amati inspiration. Good quality varnish, usually applied in shaded ‘antiqued’ manner, but thin and not highly reflective. Also worked on some bizarre experimental forms. Branded: ‘Caussin’ Caussin Luthier Neufchâteau (Vosges)
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Ein geschickter Nachahmer der Italiener, der seine Geigen sehr hübsch ausführte
und besonders geschickt war, den alten Lack mit all seinen zufälligen
Mängeln zu imitiren. Er baute meist nach einem kleinen Modell. Er kam alljährlich
mit seinen Geigen nach Paris, und da sie auch gut im Ton waren,
brachte er sie leicht an Händler an. Gar Mancher, der sich im Besitze einer
echten Cremoneser wähnt, hat nur eine »Caussin«. Es soll auch einen Nicolas
Caussin gegeben haben.
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