Gustave Adolphe Bernardel

Name: Gustave Adolphe Bernardel auction price records, Amati Instrument Archive
Creator: Amati

Nancy, Paris, 1832–1904

Gustave Adolphe Bernardel (1832-1904) was a prominent Parisian luthier, the younger son and student of Sebastien Philippe Bernardel. He joined his father's business around 1849 and, in 1866, became a partner with his brother Ernest and Eugène Gand, forming "Gand & Bernardel." After his partners' departures, he became the sole proprietor in 1892, operating as "Gustave Bernardel, seul successeur de Gand & Bernardel." He was known for building excellent string instruments, including a successful reconstruction of the Viola di Gamba, and exclusively used oil varnish. Bernardel was officially appointed maker to the Conservatoire and other prestigious institutions, receiving the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1900. He retired in 1901, passing the illustrious business, which traced its lineage to Lupot, to Albert Caressa and Henri Français.

Worked Nancy, Paris

Made Bass, Cello, Cello Bow, Viola, Violin, Violin Bow

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£17,600

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin	Bearing the maker's label n. 1943 and brands to the table and back, good condition	December 2024	£10,355
Violin	Labelled Gustave Bernardel luthier du Conservatoire de Musique N° 1796 Paris 1897, branded	October 2024	£12,000
Violin	Bearing the maker's label n. 1722 and brands	November 2023	£10,812
Violin	Labelled Gustave Bernardel Luthier du Conservatoire de Musique No. 291 Paris 1900, branded	November 2023	£8,567
Cello	76 cm Paris, 1893	November 2011	£6,648
Violin	35.8 cm Paris, 1899	October 2010	£8,262
Violin	35.9 cm Paris, 1895	April 2010	£12,570
Violin	35.8 cm France, 1890 c. [Workshop of]	April 2009	£1,863
Violin	35.9 cm Paris, 1895	March 2009	£8,190
Violin	1892	November 2008	£7,575
Bass	108.4 cm 1860 c. [Attributed to]	November 2008	£8,400
Violin	35.9 cm Paris, 1897 #1804	June 2008	£9,284
Cello	76.4 cm Paris, 1895, decoratively painted front & back [Lit.]	March 2008	£2,470
Violin	35.8 cm Paris, 1893, #1819	December 2007	£5,956
Viola	41.3 cm Paris, 1899	October 2007	£10,000
Violin	Paris, 1897 #1797	December 2005	£4,789
Violin	Nancy, 1933	December 2005	£1,277
Violin	Nancy, 1937	December 2005	£718
Violin	Paris, 1898 #1839	November 2005	£6,711
Violin	Paris, 1897 #1796	November 2005	£5,921
Violin Bow	S/E 63 g.	November 2005	£3,316
Violin	Paris, 1900	June 2005	£5,876
Violin	Paris, 1899	May 2005	£7,800
Violin Bow	S/E 55.1 g. no hair	May 2005	£3,600
Violin Bow	S/E	May 2005	£121
Cello Bow	S/E 78.5 g. [Possibly by "C. Thomassin"]	May 2005	£2,747
Violin	Paris, 1895 #1735	December 2004	£10,581
Violin	Paris, 1901	October 2004	£6,640
Cello		July 2004	£8,365
Violin Bow	S/E [made for]	April 2004	£2,154
Violin	Paris	March 2004	£10,755
Violin	1892	July 2003	£7,800
Violin	1894	June 2001	£11,500
Viola	41.3 cm 1896	May 2000	£7,630
Cello Bow	S/E 76 g.	November 1999	£1,065
Cello	1892	May 1999	£12,664
Cello Bow	S/E 77 g.	May 1998	£897
Cello Bow	S/E 73 g.	February 1998	£1,732
Cello Bow	S/E 74 g.	June 1997	£391
Violin Bow	S/E 60 g.	November 1996	£2,230
Violin Bow	S/E 55 g.	November 1996	£920
Cello	1865	June 1996	£16,100
Violin	1900	November 1994	£11,270
Cello Bow	S/E 79 g.	June 1994	£4,600
Violin Bow	S/E 58 g.	March 1994	£2,300
Violin Bow	S/E 59 g.	October 1993	£1,035
Violin	1880-99	May 1993	£9,533
Violin Bow	S/E 56 g.	May 1993	£1,393
Violin Bow	S/E 57 g.	September 1992	£616
Viola	40.8 cm 1900	June 1992	£3,960
Violin Bow	S/E 56 g.	June 1992	£1,430
Violin	1893	March 1992	£10,450
Cello Bow	S/E 74 g.	November 1991	£605
Violin	1897	November 1991	£9,900
Violin	1895	November 1991	£6,600
Cello	1880	July 1991	£17,600
Violin Bow	S/E 62 g.	September 1990	£506
Violin	1897	June 1990	£8,800
Violin Bow	S/E 63 g.	March 1990	£1,430
Violin	1850-75	March 1989	£7,700
Viola	40.8 cm 1900	May 1986	£4,620
Cello Bow	S/E 75 g.	July 1985	£990
Violin	1893	July 1985	£3,740
Violin	1901	June 1985	£6,822
Violin	1896	June 1984	£3,849
Violin	1901	March 1981	£3,313
Violin	1900	May 1980	£2,200

Maker Overview

Life

Gustave Adolphe Bernardel (1832-1904) was born on April 26, 1832, in Paris, France, and passed away in 1904. He was the younger son of Sebastien Philippe Bernardel. Gustave Adolphe Bernardel joined his father's business around 1849, becoming a partner by 1860. In 1866, he succeeded to the business with his brother, Ernest Auguste Bernardel, and Eugène Gand, forming the firm known as "Gand et Bernardel Freres" or "Gand & Bernardel.", born April 2, 1826, retired from the business in 1886 and died in 1899. Eugène Gand subsequently left the partnership in 1892, at which point Gustave Adolphe Bernardel became the sole proprietor of the renowned establishment, which then operated under the name "Gustave Bernardel, seul successeur de Gand & Bernardel." Gustave Adolphe Bernardel retired on July 1, 1901, and the business was then passed to Albert Caressa and Henri Français. The shop, which traced its origins back to Lupot, remained one of the most illustrious in Parisian violin making, continuing as "Caressa & Français" and later "Français" into the late 20th century. While new instrument production gradually diminished in importance, the establishment maintained first-class standards in the production of all instruments and bows, also serving as a center for expertise and restorations.

Characteristics

Standards: The production of all instruments and bows consistently maintained first-class standards.
Instrument Production: Gustave Adolphe Bernardel built excellent string instruments and made all string instruments with the exception of the harp.
Innovation: He attempted a successful reconstruction of the Viola di Gamba.
Varnish: He exclusively used oil varnish for his instruments.

Recorded labels

Gustave Bernardel
Luthier du Conservatoire de musique
No.. Paris. 1891John Dilworth
Gustave Bernardel
à Paris. 1896John Dilworth
No. 1751John Dilworth

Influence and legacy

Mentorship: Gustave Adolphe Bernardel was a student of his father, Sebastien Philippe Bernardel.
Tradition: He followed the traditions established by Lupot, the original founder of the business.
Official Appointments: Gustave Adolphe Bernardel was officially appointed as maker to the Conservatoire, to the opera orchestras, and to the Ministry of Fine Arts.
Honors: He was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1900.
Business Continuity: Upon his retirement in 1901, the business was successfully transferred to Albert Caressa and Henri Français, continuing its legacy as "Caressa & Français" and later "Français."

Found an error? Report Now

Biographies

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

John Dilworth+

BERNARDEL, Gustave Adolphe Born 1832, died 1904 Paris France. Younger son of Bernardel Père, above. Joined his father in about 1849, succeeded to the business with his brother and Eugène Gand in 1866. When Ernest retired the shop became Gand et Bernardel, Gand leaving in 1892, and Gustave himself retired in 1901. The business then passed to Caressa and Français. The shop is one of the most illustrious in Parisian violin making, and continued as ‘Caressa & Français’ and latterly ‘Français’ in the late 20th century. A centre of expertise and restorations, new work gradually diminished in importance to the business, but standards never slipped below first class in the production of all instruments and bows. Gustave became officially appointed maker to the Conservatoire, to the opera orchestras, and to the Ministry of Fine Arts, and was made Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1900. Gustave Bernardel / Luthier du Conservatoire de musique / No.. Paris. 1891 Gustave Bernardel / à Paris. 1896. No. 1751

Cecie Stainer+

Ernst Auguste and Gustave Adolphe, sons of Sebastien Philippe ; the former b. April 2, 1826, retired from the business in 1886; d. 1899; the latter b. April 26, 1832. When their father retired, in 1866, they continued the business in partnership with Eugene Gand, as “ Gand et Bernardel Freres.” M. Gustave Bernardel is now head of the firm.

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Schüler seines Vaters Seb. Phil. B. Vielleicht der beste unter den jetzt
lebenden französischen Geigenmachern. Seit 1860 Theilhaber der Firma seines
Vaters, er verband sich 1866 mit Eug. Gand, mit dem er 26 Jahre in treuer
Freundschaft die Firma Gand & Bernardel theilte. Seit 1892 ist Gustave B.
alleiniger Inhaber des weltberühmten Geschäftes, das nun die Firma »Gustave
Bernardel, seul successeur de Gand & Bernadel« trägt. Begründer des Geschäfts
war bekanntlich Lupot; seine Nachfolger waren Gand, Gand frères,
Gand & Bernardel und jetzt Gustave B. Er befolgt die Traditionen Lupot’s und
baut treffliche Streichinstrumente und versuchte eine gelungene Reconstruction
der Viola di Gamba, er macht alle Saiteninstrumente,
die Harfe ausgenommen, und verwendete
nur Öllack. Seit 1. Juli 1901 sind
Albert Caressa und Henri Français seine Nachfolger.