Nicolas Perou

Paris, worked 1775–1790

Nicolas Perou was a Parisian luthier active from approximately 1775 to 1790, known for his work on rue Richelieu and his appointment as maker to the Duchess of Orleans. His instruments, which included violins, basses, lutes, and citterns, were generally well-made with a characteristic yellow-brown varnish and often followed the Gagliano pattern.

Worked Paris

Maker Overview

Life

Nicolas Perou (circa 1775-1790) was a luthier who worked in Paris, France.'s A Dictionary of Violin Makers, he resided at various addresses: rue de l'Arbre-sec from 1775 to 1779, rue Mauconseil in 1783, place de la Comedie francaise in 1785, and rue Richelieu pres la Comedie francaise from 1787 to 1789. John Dilworth's The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers confirms these locations and extends his presence on rue Richelieu until 1790. Perou was appointed maker to the Duchess of Orleans. He was also known for making the "Spanish lyre" invented by the Abbe de Morlane.

Characteristics

Workmanship: His instruments are described as fairly well made, though John Dilworth notes they were "not perfectly finished."
Varnish: Instruments typically feature a yellow-brown varnish.
Pattern: His violins often recall the Gagliano pattern or model.
Instruments: Nicolas Perou produced a variety of instruments, including violins, basses, lutes, theorbos, and other bowed and plucked instruments. A cittern made by him is housed in the Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels.
Branding & Labels: He branded his instruments with 'Perou'. One of his violin labels, dated 1790, read: "Peron, luthier de S.A.R. madame la Duchesse d'Orleans rue Richelieu pros la Comedie francaise, 1790, Paris." Another label on a cittern in the Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels, states: "Perou, luthier de Mme / la Duchesse d'Orléans, Paris, 1787, rue Richelieu près de la Comédie Française."

Recorded labels

Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels has a cittern labelled: Perou, luthier de Mme
la Duchesse d’Orléans, Paris, 1787, rue Richelieu près de la Comédie FrançaiseJohn Dilworth

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Biographies

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

John Dilworth+

PÉROU, NICOLAS Worked circa. 1775-1790 Paris France. Established in rue de l’Arbre-sec 1775-1779, rue Monconseil 1783, Place de la Comedie Française 1785, and rue Richelieu 1787-1790. Gagliano-like work; similar yellow-brown varnish, not perfectly finished. All sorts of bowed and plucked instruments made. Branded: ‘Perou’. Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels has a cittern labelled: Perou, luthier de Mme / la Duchesse d’Orléans, Paris, 1787, rue Richelieu près de la Comédie Française

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Er wohnte 1775—1779 in der Rue de l’Arbre-Sec, 1783 Rue Mauconseil,
1785 Place de la Comédie française und noch 1788 in der Rue Richelieu. Bei
ziemlich gewöhnlicher Arbeit und gelbbraunem Lack erinnern seine Geigen,
die nicht gerade selten vorkommen, an das Gagliano-Modell. Man kennt auch
Bässe, Lauten und Theorben von ihm. Er machte ferner die von dem Abbé

Cecie Stainer+

A maker in Paris, living in rue de l’Arbre-sec, 1775-79; rue Mauconseil, 1783; place de la Comedie francaise, 1785 ; and rue Richelieu pres la Comedie francaise, 1787-89. He was appointed maker to the Duchess of Orleans.
His instruments are fairly well made, with yellow-brown varnish. In one of his violins made on the Gagliano pattern, was the label: “Peron, luthier de S.A.R. madame la Duchesse d’Orleans rue Richelieu pros la Comedie francaise, 1790, Paris.” He was also the maker of the ” Spanish lyre ” invented by the Abbe de Morlane.

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