Lille School
J. A. Lapaix
Lille, worked 1838–1859
J. A. Lapaix was an experimental luthier active in Lille, France, from approximately 1838 to 1859. He was known for his attempts to improve the violin, often creating instruments with exaggerated and eccentric designs, such as those with sides carved from a single piece of wood, lacking corners, or featuring two soundposts. Despite some of his unconventional methods, he received several accolades, including a medal from the Society for the Encouragement of National Industries in 1848 and a 2nd class medal at the Paris Exhibition in 1855. Examples of his unique instruments are preserved in the Snoeck collection.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 1844 | September 2003 | £635 |
| Violin | 1844 | July 2003 | £1,233 |
Maker Overview
Life
J. A. Lapaix (circa 1838-1859) was a luthier who worked in Lille, France. From 1840 to 1855, he made various attempts to improve upon the usual violin pattern, often creating instruments of an exaggerated and experimental character., his first instrument, dated "1840, No. 1," was particularly exaggerated. He received a medal from the Society for the Encouragement of National Industries in 1848, and his instruments' merit was noted by the Imperial Society of Lille in 1852. He also obtained a medal of the 2nd class at the Paris Exhibition in 1855.
Characteristics
- Experimental Construction
- J. A. Lapaix experimented with cutting the sides of his instruments from a single piece of wood, which was hollowed out and carved into the usual shape, reducing the number of joined pieces from twenty-four to six.
- Eccentric Designs
- Willibald Leo Lütgendorff describes his violins as having ribs, linings, and blocks made from a single piece, lacking corners, and featuring two soundposts, with the D-string replaced by a silk cord.
- Personal Models
- John Dilworth notes that Lapaix created personal models, some of which were quite eccentric and excessively experimental.
- Labeling
- His instruments bore labels such as "Fait par Lapaix / Luthier à Lille en 1843 / Breveté,".
- Fait par Lapaix
Luthier à Lille en 1843
BrevetéJohn Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Awards: J. A. Lapaix was recognized with a medal by the Society for the Encouragement of National Industries in 1848, and the Imperial Society of Lille noted the merit of his instruments in 1852.
- Exhibition Recognition: He received a medal of the 2nd class at the Paris Exhibition in 1855.
- Preserved Works: Examples of his experimental violins, specifically numbers 548 and 549, are held in the Snoeck collection.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
LAPAIX, J. A. Worked circa. 1838-1859 Lille France. Personal models; some quite eccentric and excessively experimental. Medals and diplomas awarded by the Society for the Encouragement of National Industries 1848, the Imperial Society of Lille 1852, and at the Paris Exhibition 1855. Fait par Lapaix / Luthier à Lille en 1843 / Breveté
Cecie Stainer+
A maker in Lille (Nord, France), who from 1840 to 1855 made various attempts to improve upon the usual violin pattern. The first instrument, dated ” 1840, No. 1,” was of a very exaggerated character ; he continued to make other instruments, which differed less from the traditional form, and tried the experiment of cutting the sides out of one piece of wood, hollowed out and carved in the usual shape, so that there were only six pieces instead of the usual twenty-four to join together.
In 1848 he was awarded a medal by the Society for the Encouragement of National Industries, and in 1852 the merit of his instruments was noticed by the Imperial Society of Lille. He obtained a medal of the 2nd class at the Paris Exhibition, 1855.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Ein Geigenmacher, der sein bestes Können für nutzlose Versuche verschwendete.
Er machte Geigen, bei denen die Zargen, Reifchen und Klötze aus
einem Stück bestanden, und liess die Ecken fehlen. Er verwendete zwei Stimmstöcke
und ersetzte die D-Saite durch eine seidene Schnur. Beispiele solcher
Geigen besitzt die Sammlung Snoeck (No. 548 u. 549). Im Übrigen war er nicht ungeschickt und erhielt auf der Pariser internationalen Ausstellung 1855 eine Medaille II. Classe.
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Working in Lille at the same time
Francais worked 1835–1850