Georges (II) Chanot

Name: Georges (II) Chanot auction price records, Amati Instrument Archive
Creator: Amati

Paris, 1831–1895

Georges (II) Chanot (1831-1895) was a Parisian-born luthier who established a significant career in London. The son and pupil of Georges Chanot (I), he also trained under Maucotel before opening his own successful business on Wardour Street. He was renowned for his high-quality instruments, particularly his fine copies of Guarneri del Gesù. Despite a tarnished reputation from the Hodges case of 1881, he contributed to the Victoria and Albert Museum's musical instrument collection and received various exhibition awards, though sources conflict on the specifics of his 1878 Paris Exhibition medal.

Worked Paris

Made Cello Bow, Viola Bow, Violin, Violin Bow

Taught by Georges Chanot

Family Son of Georges Chanot

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£26,400

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin Bow	S/E 56 g. [Workshop of]	December 2010	£480
Violin	35.4 cm Paris [Attributed to]	March 2010	£26,400
Violin Bow	S/E 58 g. [Possibly by]	February 2001	£752
Violin Bow	S/E 59 g.	November 2000	£978
Violin	1854	March 1996	£1,955
Cello Bow	S/E 84 g.	June 1989	£1,650
Viola Bow	S/E 65 g.	June 1988	£1,100
Cello Bow	S/E 75 g.	November 1986	£440

Maker Overview

Life

Georges (II) Chanot (1831-1895) was born in Paris, France, and later died in London, UK in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers. He was the son and pupil of Georges Chanot (I), working initially in his father's workshop. In 1851, he moved to London, where he worked as an assistant to Maucotel until 1857, as detailed by Dilworth and Cecie Stainer in A Dictionary of Violin Makers. Chanot established his own business premises at 86 Wardour Street in 1858, and subsequently at 137 Wardour Street in 1862. His half-brother, Joseph Chardon, briefly joined him at the latter address. Georges (II) Chanot gained a high reputation and received a 'mention honourable' at the Paris Exhibition in 1878. However, Cecie Stainer states he received a bronze medal at the Paris Exhibition in 1878, and a gold medal in London in 1885. Sources contain conflicting information about the specific award received at the 1878 Paris Exhibition. His reputation as a connoisseur and businessman was somewhat tarnished by his involvement in the notorious Hodges case of 1881, where he gave disingenuous testimony and admitted to inserting a false Bergonzi label, betraying a cynical attitude to business practice. Towards the end of his life, he made a substantial contribution to the foundation of the musical instrument collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, which is now defunct.

Characteristics

Instrument Quality: Georges (II) Chanot's instruments were of very good quality.
Guarneri Copies: His chief fame rests on his very fine copies of Guarneri instruments, which display a close knowledge and sympathy with the personal style of Guarneri del Gesù.
Bows: Bows bearing his brand are described by John Dilworth as rather heavy but well-finished work.
Label Inscription: An example of his label inscription is "Violin de Maître / Finished, fitted up, and varnished with best oil varnish / George Chanot, London, 1883".

Recorded labels

Violin de Maître
Finished, fitted up, and varnished with best oil varnish
George Chanot, London, 1883.John Dilworth

Influence and legacy

Paternal Training: He was the son and pupil of Georges Chanot (I), working in his father's workshop.
Mentorship: From 1851 to 1857, he worked as an assistant to Maucotel in London.
Exhibition Awards: He received a 'mention honourable' at the Paris Exhibition in 1878. Cecie Stainer states he received a bronze medal at the Paris Exhibition in 1878 and a gold medal in London in 1885.
Museum Contribution: He made a substantial contribution to the foundation of the musical instrument collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington.

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Biographies

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

John Dilworth+

CHANOT, Georges (II) Born 1831 Paris France, died 1895 London UK. Son and pupil of Georges Chanot (I), above. Worked in father’s workshop. Assistant to Maucotel in London 1851-1857. Established own business premises at 86 Wardour Street 1858 and at no. 137 in the same street 1862. He was joined briefly at that address by his half-brother Joseph Chardon. Gained a very high reputation and ‘mention honourable’ at the Paris Exhibition 1878. Chief fame now rests on his very fine Guarneri copies which display a very close knowledge and sympathy with the very personal style of Guarneri del Gesù. Reputation as a connoisseur and businessman slightly tarnished by involvement in the notorious Hodges case of 1881. In this dispute over the authenticity of a Bergonzi Chanot gave a rather disingenuous testimony, betraying to the public a cynical attitude to business practice. He had in fact inserted the false Bergonzi label himself. At the end of his life he made a substantial contribution to the foundation of the musical instrument collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, now sadly defunct. Bows with his brand rather heavy but well-finished work. Violin de Maître / Finished, fitted up, and varnished with best oil varnish / George Chanot, London, 1883.

Cecie Stainer+

Son of Georges Chanot and his first wife. First worked with his father. 1851, went to London, where he worked under Maucotel (a brother of the maker in Paris), and, 1858, he started his own business, making instruments of very good quality.
He received a bronze medal at the Paris Exhibition, 1878; and a gold medal in London, 1885.

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Sohn (erster Ehe) und Schüler von Georges I. Ch. Im Jahre 1851 ging er

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