Jean Gosselin
Bordeaux, Paris, worked 1814–1851
Jean Gosselin was a luthier who worked in Paris, France, from approximately 1814 to 1851, having been born in Bordeaux. Initially an amateur, he later identified as a luthier, crafting violins, altos, and violoncellos after the Stradivari model. He was known for using speckled wood or bird's-eye maple and a good red and yellow, or golden-orange/red varnish. Gosselin was closely befriended and instructed by Koliker in Paris. While some sources describe his work as 'little known and little valued,' others note his instruments were 'geschätzt' (valued) and reached prices up to 800 Marks. He was also the father of two famous dancers.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
7 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.7 cm Paris, 1826 | — | February 2010 | £3,656 |
| Violin | Paris, 1820 | — | November 2005 | £9,474 |
| Violin | 1830 | — | November 2003 | £6,463 |
| Violin | 1827 | — | November 1992 | £1,760 |
| Violin | 1850 | — | September 1992 | £748 |
| Violin | 1827 | — | November 1989 | £4,950 |
| Violin | 1800-50 | — | November 1987 | £825 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Jean Gosselin worked in Paris, France, from approximately 1814 to 1851, having been born in Bordeaux. He was initially an amateur maker, though some labels later identified him as a luthier. Sources contain conflicting information regarding the value of his work; Cecie Stainer described his work as 'little known and little valued,' while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff noted that his instruments were 'geschätzt' (valued) and reached prices up to 800 Marks. John Dilworth suggests that some instruments bearing his name might have been made by other Parisian or Mirecourtian craftsmen.
Characteristics
- Instruments
- He made violins, altos, and violoncellos.
- Model
- His instruments were made after the Stradivari model.
- Wood
- He frequently used a speckled wood or bird's-eye maple for the back and sides, which gave his instruments a peculiar or personal character.
- Workmanship
- His workmanship is described as ordinary by Cecie Stainer, but as careful by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, and as neat, elegant, and refined by John Dilworth.
- Varnish
- He used a good varnish of red and yellow color, or fine golden-orange or red varnish.
- Labels
- Examples of his labels include "Fait par Gosselin, amateur Paris, annee 1826," "Fait par Gosselin, luthier, Paris, annee 1830," "fait par Gofselin amateur / Paris /Année 1821," "Repare par Gofselin, Paris / 1827," "Gosselin à Paris 1851," and "26e violon / fait par Gosselin Amateur / Paris 1828, 'Baptiser le tigre'."
- fait par Gofselin amateur
Paris
Année 1821John Dilworth - Fait par Gosselin, luthier Paris année
1830John Dilworth - Repare par Gofselin, Paris
1827John Dilworth - Gosselin à Paris 1851 26e violon
fait par Gosselin Amateur
Paris 1828, ‘Baptiser le tigre’.John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: He learned a great deal from Koliker and was closely befriended and instructed by him in Paris.
- Value: His instruments were valued and, reached prices up to 800 Marks.
- Family: He was the father of two famous dancers of his time.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
GOSSELIN, Jean b. Bordeaux, Worked 1814-1851 Paris France. Pupil of Koliker in Paris. Stradivari model. Neat workmanship, elegant and refined. Fine golden-orange or red varnish. Frequently used bird’s-eye maple. He regarded himself as a dilettante, and it is thought that some of the work bearing his name was carried out by other Parisian or Mirecourtian craftsmen. fait par Gofselin amateur / Paris /Année 1821 Fait par Gosselin, luthier Paris année / 1830 Repare par Gofselin, Paris / 1827 Gosselin à Paris 1851 26e violon / fait par Gosselin Amateur / Paris 1828, ‘Baptiser le tigre’.
Cecie Stainer+
An amateur maker in Paris about 1814-30, whose work is little known and little valued. He learnt a great deal from Koliker. He made violins, altos, and violoncellos of ordinary workmanship and good tone, often using for the back and sides a speckled wood, which gave them rather a peculiar look.
Label: ” Fait par Gosselin, amateur Paris, annee 1826,” in a violin of sonorous tone;
and ” Fait par Gosselin, luthier, Paris, annee 1830.”
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Der Vater der beiden, zu ihrer Zeit berühmten Tänzerinnen. Ein verdienstvoller
Dilettant, mit Koliker eng befreundet und von diesem unterwiesen. Er
machte sowohl Geigen als Violoncelli nach Stradivari, die in gewisser Beziehung
geschätzt sind und jetzt Preise bis zu 800 Mk. erreichen. Seine Arbeit
ist sorgfältig, der Lack von rother und gelber Farbe und gut. Das eigenartig
gesprenkelte Ahornholz, das er mit Vorliebe verwendete, giebt seinen Instrumenten
ein persönliches Gepräge
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