Louis Moitessier

Name: Louis Moitessier auction price records, Amati Instrument Archive
Creator: Amati

Mirecourt, Paris, worked 1780–1824

Louis Moitessier (circa 1780-1825) was a prolific violin maker from Mirecourt, France, known for producing a large number of instruments, often on a large model. His craftsmanship was generally considered ordinary, and he frequently used a brown varnish. Moitessier's instruments are notable for occasional peculiarities such as having the entire body made of maple wood or featuring carved lion's heads instead of scrolls. He was an influential teacher, with C. V. Rambaux being one of his prominent pupils. Moitessier often branded his instruments "Moitessier à Paris" and dated works from Paris, a common practice among Mirecourt makers.

Worked Mirecourt, Paris

Made Cello, Cello Bow, Viola, Violin

Family Son of Prosper Antoine Moitessier

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£11,392

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Cello	Bearing the maker's brand, many table restorations including sound post crack, neck blemish	December 2024	£6,213
Violin	Bearing the maker's brand to the back, many restorations to the table and back	November 2024	£825
Violin	Bearing the maker's brand, fair condition	June 2024	£2,267
Violin	Very small hairline crack in the sound post area on the back, crack running from the top treble side f-hole	June 2024	£1,708
Violin	Signed internally Moitessier à Paris, one-piece back	May 2024	£1,143
Violin	36.2 cm Mirecourt, 1790 c.	December 2011	£600
Cello	74.6 cm Paris	December 2010	£11,392
Violin	35.5 cm Mirecourt, 1840 c.	December 2010	£1,036
Violin	35.9 cm Mirecourt, 1810-1820 c.	June 2009	£1,037
Cello	75 cm Mirecourt, mid-19th C. [Workshop of]	March 2009	£2,500
Violin	36.4 cm Mirecourt, 1790 c.	October 2008	£514
Viola	38.6 cm Mirecourt, 1830 c.	June 2008	£650
Cello Bow	35.8 cm	December 2007	£6,807
Violin	36.4 cm Mirecourt, 1830	December 2007	£681
Violin	36.2 cm Mirecourt, 1830 c.	June 2007	£721
Viola	38.5 cm Mirecourt 1820-1830 c.	December 2005	£1,118
Violin	Mirecourt, 1820 c.	December 2005	£1,118
Violin	1840	June 2002	£942
Violin	1830	December 2001	£804
Violin	18--	April 1991	£605
Violin	1810 c.	March 1991	£1,100
Violin	18--	November 1990	£1,100
Cello	1820	April 1989	£1,925
Viola	38.4 cm 1800 c.	April 1989	£528
Viola	1800 c.	November 1988	£935
Violin	1800 c.	March 1986	£385
Violin	1800 c.	October 1984	£836
Violin	1800 c.	March 1981	£474

Maker Overview

Life

Louis Moitessier (circa 1780-1825) was a violin maker who worked in Mirecourt, France. He was the son of Prosper Antoine Moitessier. Louis Moitessier was a prolific maker, though his work is often described as being of ordinary or mediocre workmanship., he was a very diligent, but thoroughly mediocre, violin maker. While it is uncertain if he worked in Paris in 1810, he did date works from Paris, a practice that Mirecourt makers have historically engaged in.

Characteristics

Production: Louis Moitessier made a large number of instruments, primarily violins, often on a large model.
Materials & Design: His instruments sometimes featured the belly, back, and sides all cut from maple wood, a peculiarity noted by Cecie Stainer and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff. Instead of a traditional scroll, he sometimes attached carved lion's heads, and some instruments also featured painted decoration.
Varnish: His varnish was typically brown and described as meagre or "without fire" by Lütgendorff, though John Dilworth notes that some instruments had a better transparent yellow varnish.
Labeling & Branding: Instruments often contained a printed label stating: "Ludovicus Moitessier fecit / anno Domini, 1781." He also frequently used a brand mark: "Moitessier à Paris," even though he primarily worked in Mirecourt.

Recorded labels

Ludovicus Moitessier fecit
anno Domini, 1781John Dilworth

Influence and legacy

Mentorship: Louis Moitessier was recognized as an influential and good teacher.
Pupils: C. V. Rambaux was a notable pupil of Moitessier, studying with him for four years.
Family Connection: Louis Moitessier was the son of Prosper Antoine Moitessier.

Found an error? Report Now

Biographies

The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

John Dilworth+

MOITESSIER, Louis Worked circa. 1780-1824 Mirecourt France. Son of Prosper Antoine Moitessier, below. Prolific maker on a large model. Well made but with meagre brown varnish; some with rather better transparent yellow varnish. Some with carved lion’s head or painted decoration; others recorded with both back and table cut from maple. Although he was an influential teacher, notably of C. V. Rambaux, his own work is of little general worth. Generally branded as if made in Paris: ‘Moitessier à Paris’. Printed label: Ludovicus Moitessier fecit / anno Domini, 1781

Cecie Stainer+

A maker at Mirecourt about 1780 to 1825. He made a large number of instruments, mostly violins, of ordinary workmanship with brown varnish. One violin, fairly well made, was peculiar in having the belly as well as the back and sides of maple-wood ; the tone was good. In it was the label: ” Ludovicus Moitessier fecit, anno Domini 1781.” Rambaux was a pupil of his for four years.

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Sehr fleissiger, aber durchaus mittelmässiger Geigenmacher. Seine Versuche,
Geigen ganz aus Ahornholz herzustellen, seien hier nur der Seltsamkeit
halber erwähnt. Sein Lack ist braun und ohne Feuer. Statt der Schnecke
brachte er manchmal Löwenköpfchen an. Dass er 1810 in Paris gearbeitet hat,
ist ungewiss; wohl aber hat er Arbeiten aus Paris datirt, was übrigens die Mirecourter
bis auf den heutigen Tag gerne thun. Er war jedoch ein guter Lehrer.
Einer seiner Schüler ist Cl. V. Rambaux. Ausser seinem Zettel gebrauchte er oft auch
eine Brandmarke: »Moitessier à paris«.

Sell your instrument with Amati

Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.

Get a Valuation

Sell your instrument with Amati

Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.

Get a Valuation