Charles Nicolas Eugene Gand
Paris, 1825–1892
Charles Nicolas Eugene Gand (1825-1892) was a distinguished French luthier, born in Paris, who received his training from his father and brother, Charles Adolphe Gand. He also pursued musical studies at the Paris Conservatoire under Baillot. After partnering with his brother to form Gand Frères, he later merged the business with the Bernardel brothers, creating the renowned firm Gand et Bernardel Frères. Celebrated as a connoisseur and expert restorer, Gand was highly decorated, receiving the Chevalier and Officier de la Légion d'honneur, among other international accolades. While his personal instruments are rare, he oversaw the production of over 2,000 instruments, applying the finishing touches and varnishing, ensuring they upheld the Lupot-Gand tradition. The firm was recognized with silver and gold medals at major exhibitions, including the 1878 Paris Exhibition where they supplied numerous instruments. Gand also produced high-quality bows and served as a jury member for various international exhibitions, solidifying his legacy in the world of stringed instrument making.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
134 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1876 n°633 | — | December 2011 | £14,267 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1883 n°1039 | — | December 2011 | £7,186 |
| Cello | 76.4 cm Paris, 1879 | — | November 2011 | £27,567 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 77 g. Paris, 1880 c. (later frog & adjuster) | — | October 2011 | £1,750 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1882 | — | June 2011 | £9,600 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Paris, 1886 | — | May 2011 | £13,839 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | May 2011 | £1,420 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 75 g. | — | April 2011 | £4,501 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 54 g. | — | March 2011 | £2,880 |
| Violin Bow | G/T 55.5 g. Paris, 1880 c. without hair | — | March 2011 | £5,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | December 2010 | £3,120 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1887 n°1297 | — | December 2010 | £12,427 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 79.5 g. Paris, 1880 c. | — | October 2010 | £3,750 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Paris, 1850 c. | — | October 2010 | £7,250 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57.5 g. | — | June 2010 | £2,811 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1881 | — | March 2010 | £15,600 |
| Violin Bow | N/E 63 g. Workshop of | — | March 2010 | £720 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1890 n°1476 | — | December 2009 | £8,378 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1882 n°1018 | — | June 2009 | £10,372 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1874 n°566 | — | May 2009 | £11,646 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1876 Workshop of | — | October 2008 | £8,677 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1881 | — | October 2008 | £18,750 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1889 #1400 | — | June 2008 | £5,570 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.5 g. | — | October 2007 | £2,427 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Paris, 1886 | — | October 2007 | £8,750 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 55 g. | — | July 2007 | £1,020 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Paris, 1886, #1252 | — | June 2007 | £8,016 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 76.5 g. Paris, 1880 c. | — | February 2007 | £4,800 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 78 g. Paris, 1880 c. | — | February 2007 | £3,120 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Paris, 1885 | — | October 2006 | £11,647 |
| Violin Bow | S/T 58.5 g. 1860 c. | — | October 2006 | £3,387 |
| Violin | Paris, 1888 #1378 | — | December 2005 | £6,785 |
| Violin | Paris, 1889 Gilt inscription on ribs, 'Presentation Violin' | — | November 2005 | £12,000 |
| Violin | Paris, 1884 | — | November 2005 | £7,800 |
| Violin | Paris, 1891 #1521 | — | November 2005 | £6,711 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | November 2005 | £3,632 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 55 g. | — | November 2005 | £2,040 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | November 2005 | £1,184 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61.5 g. (button possibly later) | — | October 2005 | £2,456 |
| Violin | Paris, 1885 | — | June 2005 | £4,588 |
| Violin | Paris, 1884 | — | May 2005 | £9,600 |
| Cello | Paris, 1890 c. Attributed to | — | May 2005 | £9,000 |
| Violin | Paris, 1887 | — | May 2005 | £13,200 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | May 2005 | £969 |
| Violin | Paris, 1880 | — | April 2005 | £17,545 |
| Viola | 41.0 cm Paris, 1872 | — | November 2004 | £8,962 |
| Violin | Paris, 1891 | — | November 2004 | £10,800 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 64 g. Possibly by "August Barb" | — | October 2004 | £2,490 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 78.5 g. | — | May 2004 | £3,217 |
| Violin | Paris, 1879 | — | April 2004 | £7,405 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62.0 g. | — | February 2004 | £1,680 |
| Violin | 1878 | — | July 2003 | £9,400 |
| Viola | 43.7 cm 1888 | — | July 2003 | £3,600 |
| Cello | 1879 | — | June 2003 | £20,649 |
| Violin | 1891 | — | June 2003 | £10,415 |
| Violin | 1877 | — | June 2003 | £9,166 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | May 2003 | £2,203 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 78 g. | — | April 2003 | £3,585 |
| Violin | 1891 | — | November 2002 | £14,100 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | November 2002 | £1,673 |
| Violin | 1885 | — | October 2002 | £10,707 |
| Violin | 1886 | — | June 2002 | £11,826 |
| Bass | 1888 | — | December 2001 | £18,913 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 74 g. | — | November 2001 | £700 |
| Viola | 1883 | — | November 2001 | £5,500 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | November 2001 | £11,348 |
| Bass Bow | ?/E 129 g. | — | June 2001 | £1,127 |
| Violin | 1877 | — | June 2001 | £9,220 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 54 g. | — | March 2001 | £660 |
| Violin | 1879 | — | December 2000 | £7,136 |
| Cello Bow | G/T 80 g. | — | November 2000 | £1,045 |
| Violin | 1877 | — | October 2000 | £9,664 |
| Violin | 1881 | — | May 2000 | £12,971 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 63 g. | — | March 2000 | £1,610 |
| Violin | 1882 | — | December 1999 | £10,152 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | November 1999 | £4,600 |
| Violin | 1878 | — | November 1999 | £10,300 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | November 1998 | £6,900 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62 g. | — | November 1998 | £1,380 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | November 1998 | £9,699 |
| Viola | 40.3 cm 1885 | — | March 1998 | £10,925 |
| Violin | 1885 | — | November 1997 | £7,820 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 71 g. | — | November 1997 | £2,185 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | November 1997 | £1,380 |
| Violin | 1870 c. | — | October 1997 | £8,050 |
| Violin | 1886 | — | June 1997 | £6,670 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | June 1997 | £2,760 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 64 g. | — | June 1997 | £1,380 |
| Violin Bow | N/E 61 g. | — | June 1997 | £805 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | November 1996 | £2,530 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | November 1996 | £1,150 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 81 g. | — | June 1996 | £5,750 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 78 g. | — | June 1996 | £2,300 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 76 g. | — | June 1996 | £1,092 |
| Violin | 1876 | — | May 1996 | £11,275 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | March 1996 | £3,450 |
| Violin | 1881 | — | November 1995 | £8,222 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 84 g. | — | June 1995 | £1,265 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | June 1995 | £2,185 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 54 g. | — | June 1995 | £1,035 |
| Violin | 1876 | — | November 1994 | £8,050 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | November 1994 | £3,954 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 52 g. | — | November 1994 | £805 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | June 1994 | £1,610 |
| Violin | 1876 | — | June 1994 | £11,500 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | June 1994 | £1,035 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62 g. | — | March 1994 | £2,300 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | March 1994 | £1,840 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | November 1993 | £1,561 |
| Violin | 1879 | — | November 1993 | £13,800 |
| Violin | 18-- | — | October 1993 | £10,350 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | August 1993 | £9,350 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | July 1993 | £1,610 |
| Violin | 1886 | — | June 1993 | £9,200 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | May 1993 | £953 |
| Violin | 1879 | — | April 1993 | £16,100 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 76 g. | — | November 1992 | £2,640 |
| Violin | 1879 | — | November 1992 | £14,300 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. | — | July 1992 | £1,320 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | June 1992 | £1,430 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | June 1992 | £1,430 |
| Violin | 1870 | — | November 1991 | £9,900 |
| Violin | 1887 | — | April 1991 | £8,580 |
| Violin | 1890 c. | — | March 1991 | £1,870 |
| Viola | 41.1 cm 1884 | — | November 1990 | £12,100 |
| Violin | 1887 | — | November 1989 | £8,580 |
| Violin | 1892 | — | June 1989 | £8,800 |
| Violin | 1891 | — | November 1988 | £6,600 |
| Violin | 1881 | — | November 1988 | £5,500 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 69 g. | — | June 1985 | £1,279 |
| Violin | 1875 | — | January 1984 | £2,567 |
| Violin | 18-- | — | November 1982 | £4,840 |
| Violin | 1885 | — | June 1981 | £3,190 |
| Violin | 1881 | — | January 1981 | £3,667 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Charles Nicolas Eugene Gand (1825-1892) was born on June 5, 1825, in Paris, France, and passed away on February 5, 1892, in Boulogne-sur-Seine. He was the younger son of Charles François Gand and received his early training in instrument making from his father and his brother, Charles Adolphe. Concurrently, he pursued musical studies, entering the Paris Conservatoire on November 19, 1834, and joining Baillot's special violin class on November 28, 1840, remaining there until Baillot's death in 1842. In 1855, he partnered with his brother, Charles Adolphe, to form Gand Frères. Following his brother's death in 1866, the business merged with that of the Bernardel brothers, becoming Gand et Bernardel Frères. This union combined two renowned houses and their workshops. Charles Nicolas Eugene Gand was celebrated as a connoisseur and an expert restorer of instruments. He was appointed Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1878 and received other appointments from the royal houses of Belgium and Spain. He was made Officier de la Légion d'honneur on October 29, 1889.
- Bows branded: GAND & BERNARDEL Eugène Gand fils
à Paris 1842 no1 Gand & Bernadel à Paris 1842John Dilworth - No. 1 Gand & Bernardel
Luthiers du Conservatoire de Musique
No.. Paris 18..John Dilworth - Gand & Bernadel Fres.
Luthiers de la Musique de l’Empereur et du Conservatoire.
No.. Pom 18..John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Charles Nicolas Eugene Gand was a pupil of his father, Charles François Gand, and his brother, Charles Adolphe Gand.
- Musical Training: He trained as a violinist under Baillot at the Paris Conservatoire from 1840 to 1842.
- Awards and Honors: He was made Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur on October 20, 1878, and Officier de la Légion d'honneur on October 29, 1889. He also received the Nicham Iftichar on October 20, 1885, the Order of Leopold of Belgium on February 1, 1886, the Order of Isabelle la Catholique on March 18, 1889, and "les palmes académiques" on December 29, 1888.
- Jury Appointments: He served as a member of the jury at various exhibitions, including Amsterdam (1883), Rouen (1884), Antwerp (1885), Havre (1887), Barcelona (1888), and Paris (1889).
- Firm Awards: The firm "Gand" received a silver medal at the 1867 Exhibition and a gold medal at the 1878 Paris Exhibition.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
GAND, Charles Nicolas Eugène Born 1825, died 1892 Paris France. Son of Charles François Gand, above. Pupil of his father and of his brother, Charles Adolphe. Trained as a violinist under Baillot in the Paris Conservatoire 1840-1842. Joined Charles Adolphe to form Gand Frères 1855. Made Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur 1878, along with other appointments by the royal houses of Belgium and Spain. Renowned as a connoisseur and expert restorer, his own instruments are rare. On the death of his brother, the business was integrated with that of Bernardel, becoming Gand et Bernardel Frères in 1866. Under this name over 2,000 instruments were produced by craftsmen working in the shop, but Eugène oversaw the activity and took responsibility for the varnishing. All instruments fine examples of the Lupot-Gand tradition. 32 violins, 18 violas, 18 cellos, and 18 double basses specially made for the Paris Exhibition 1878, all labelled: Palais du Trocadero, 1878. Bows branded: GAND & BERNARDEL Eugène Gand fils / à Paris 1842 no1 Gand & Bernadel à Paris 1842 No. 1 Gand & Bernardel / Luthiers du Conservatoire de Musique / No.. Paris 18.. Gand & Bernadel Fres. / Luthiers de la Musique de l’Empereur et du Conservatoire. / No.. Pom 18..
Cecie Stainer+
Second son of Charles François Gand, b. June 5, 1825, Paris; d. Feb. 5, 1892, Boulogne-sur-Seine. He studied music, at the same time learnt his trade under his father and brother. Entered the Paris Conservatoire, Nov. 19, 1834, being admitted to Baillot’s special violin class, Nov. 28, 1840, and not leaving until Baillot’s death, in 1842. He joined his brother Charles Adolphe as partner in 1855 ; Adolphe dying in 1866, the two houses, Gand and Bernardel, became one. ” Gand et Bernardel freres” were first at 21, rue Croix-des-petits-Champs, then at 4, passage Saulnier in 1883.
Instruments were no longer carefully constructed by the maker himself, workmen had to be employed to make the quantities of instruments required for orchestra playing; during the Paris Exhibition, 1878, the firm ” Gand ” supplied 52 violins, 18 altos, 18 violoncellos, and 18 double-basses for the big orchestras playing there. These instruments all have ” Palais du Trocadero, 1878.” on their labels. Though clever workmen had worked on them, all instruments that bear his name received the finishing touches and were varnished by Eugene himself.
He also made very good bows, the violin bows especially are noted for their lightness and perfect balance. Like his father he was a great authority on old instruments. Between 1866 and the year of his death. 1506 violins, 460 violoncellos, and 190 altos passed through his hands, the last violin being finished on August 14, 1891. In 1889 he and Gustave Bernadel exhibited a double-bass, noticeable as being of the ordinary size, but having five strings. The firm was awarded the silver medal at the 1867 Exhibition ; in 1878 they exhibited a double quartet, which was reported on as being of great beauty, harmonious proportions, careful workmanship, with red varnish like that of Lupot, excellent tone, everything showing a skilled maker ; they were awarded the gold medal.
Eugene was made Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur (Oct. 20, 1878). He was appointed a member of the jury at the Exhibition of Amsterdam, 1883 ; Kouen, 1884; Antwerp, 1885 ; Havre. 1887; Barcelona, 1888 ; and of Paris, 1889, when he was made Officier de la Legion d’honneur (Oct. 29, 1889). He also received the following orders and honours : Nicham Iftichar. Oct. 20, 1885, order of Leopold of Belgium, Feb. 1, 1886; of Isabelle la Catholique, March 18, 1889 ; and ” les palmes academiques,” Dec. 29. 1888.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Jüngerer Sohn und Schüler von Ch. Franç. G. Er verband sich 1855 mit
seinem Bruder und 1866 nach dem Tode desselben mit den Brüdern Bernardel.
Die beiden berühmten Häuser wurden dadurch zu einem vereinigt, ihre Werkstätten
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