Paris School
Charles Adolphe Gand
Paris, 1812–1866
Charles Adolphe Gand (1812-1866) was a prominent French luthier, born in Paris, the son and pupil of Charles François Gand. He succeeded his father's business in 1845 and later partnered with his brother Eugène to form 'Gand Frères' in 1855. Renowned as an expert connoisseur and restorer of classical instruments, he produced relatively few new instruments, but those he made were of excellent quality, often on the Stradivari model. He received first prize at the 1855 Paris Exhibition and was made Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur in 1862, serving as luthier to the Emperor and the Conservatoire de Musique.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label n. 250 and brands to the table, good condition | December 2024 | £20,710 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 53 g. some hair, no lapping | December 2010 | £2,880 |
| Cello | 75.7 cm Paris, 1855-1860 c. (restorations & soundpost crack) | June 2010 | £41,424 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1858 #295 | June 2008 | £14,854 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Paris, 1861, #328 | June 2007 | £11,222 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 84 g. 19th C. [Attributed to] | February 2007 | £960 |
| Cello | 76.2 cm Paris, 1861, n°55 | December 2006 | £51,131 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1861, n°321 | June 2006 | £14,165 |
| Violin | Paris, 1865 #405 | June 2005 | £10,286 |
| Violin | Paris, 1859 | February 2005 | £8,400 |
| Violin | 1866 | July 2003 | £9,000 |
| Violin | 1863 | November 2001 | £9,200 |
| Cello | 1830 | June 2001 | £9,220 |
| Violin | 1850 | December 2000 | £8,767 |
| Violin | 1866 | June 1999 | £8,625 |
| Violin | 1862 | November 1998 | £11,500 |
| Violin | 1858 | November 1998 | £6,325 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | November 1997 | £1,150 |
| Violin | 1861 | October 1995 | £8,625 |
| Violin | 1851 | March 1995 | £14,950 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | June 1994 | £10,382 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | November 1993 | £1,784 |
| Violin | 1857 | November 1993 | £12,650 |
| Violin | 1848 | March 1993 | £10,450 |
| Violin | 1848 | July 1992 | £4,180 |
| Violin | 1848 c. | June 1989 | £9,350 |
| Violin | 1861 | November 1988 | £6,820 |
| Violin | 1857 | November 1987 | £8,800 |
| Violin | 1843 | September 1987 | £7,150 |
| Violin | 1858 | April 1987 | £12,100 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 77 g. | December 1984 | £1,849 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 75 g. | December 1984 | £1,664 |
| Violin | 1861 | June 1983 | £4,464 |
| Violin | 1833 | April 1982 | £7,150 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 50 g. | April 1982 | £594 |
Maker Overview
Life
Charles Adolphe Gand (1812-1866) was born in Paris, France, on December 11, 1812, the son and pupil of Charles François Gand. He became active from about 1830 and succeeded to his father's business in 1845. From 1855, he worked with his brother Eugène as 'Gand Frères'. He died on January 24, 1866.
Characteristics
- Expertise
- Renowned as an expert connoisseur and restorer of classical instruments.
- Production
- He produced relatively few new instruments himself, due to his focus on restoration.
- Workmanship
- His instruments show excellent work on the Stradivari model, very finely and accurately finished, bearing a fairly soft orange varnish. Cecie Stainer also states that his few new instruments show good and sound workmanship.
- Bows
- Fine bows were branded: GAND FRERES A PARIS Adolphe Gand fils.
- Fine bows branded: GAND FRERES A PARIS Adolphe Gand fils.
à Paris 1832John Dilworth - Gand, Luthier de la Musique du Roi
et du Conservatoire de Musique
rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs. Paris 18..
1845-1848John Dilworth - A.G. Gand, Luthier du Conservatoire de Musique
rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs. No. 20. Paris 1854
A.G. Gand Frères, Luthiers de la Musique de l’Empereur
et du Conservatoire Imperial de Musique
No.. Paris. 1855 à 1866John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Training: He was the son and pupil of Charles François Gand.
- Awards: He received first prize at the 1855 Paris Exhibition with his brother as 'Gand Frères'. He was made Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur on August 19, 1862.
- Appointments: He was appointed 'Luthier de la musique du Roi et du Conservatoire de Musique,' and later 'de la chapelle de l'Empereur,' serving as Luthier to the Paris Opera and to the Emperor.
- Partnership: His brother, C. N. Eugene Gand, became his partner in 1855, forming the firm 'Gand Frères' which maintained a high reputation until 1866.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
GAND, Charles Adolphe Born 1812, died 1866 Paris France. Son and pupil of Charles François Gand, below. Active from about 1830 and succeeded to the business 1845, working with his brother Eugène, below, as ‘Gand Frères’ from 1855. First prize at the 1855 Paris Exhibition. Made Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur 1862. Luthier to the Paris Opera and to the Emperor. Renowned as an expert connoisseur and restorer of classical instruments, and as a consequence produced relatively few himself. Excellent work on the Stradivari model; very finely and accurately finished, bearing a fairly soft orange varnish. Fine bows branded: GAND FRERES A PARIS Adolphe Gand fils. / à Paris 1832 Gand, Luthier de la Musique du Roi / et du Conservatoire de Musique / rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs. Paris 18.. / 1845-1848. A.G. Gand, Luthier du Conservatoire de Musique / rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs. No. 20. Paris 1854 / A.G. Gand Frères, Luthiers de la Musique de l’Empereur / et du Conservatoire Imperial de Musique / No.. Paris. 1855 à 1866
George Hart+
Son of François Gand, was instructed by his father, and succeeded, together with his brother, to the old-established house founded by his grandfather. He died several years since.
Cecie Stainer+
Eldest son of Charles François Gand, b. Dec. 11, 1812, Paris; d. Jan. 24. 1866. Pupil of his father, succeeded him in 1845. He had great knowledge of old instruments and cleverly repaired them ; he made few new instruments, but they show good and sound workmanship.
Was appointed ” Luthier de la musique du Roi et du Conservatoire de Musique,” and later, ” de la chapelle de l’Empereur.” In 1855 his brother, C. N. Eugene Gand, became his partner, and at the Paris Exhibition that year “Gand freres” gained a medal of the 1st class. He received the cross of ” Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur,” August 19, 1862.
Labels: (1) “Gand, luthier de la musique du Roi et du Conservatoire de Musique, rue Croix-des-petits-Champs, Paris, 18—. 1845-1848, A. G.” ;
(2) “Gand. luthier du Conservatoire de Musique, rue Croix-des-petits-Champs, No. 20, Paris, 1854. A. G.” ;
(3) ” Gand freres, luthiers de la musique de I’Empereur et du Conservatoire Imperial de Musique, No. —. Paris, 1855 a 1866.”
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Schüler seines Vaters, dessen Werkstatt er 1845 übernahm. Er hat nicht
viele neue Geigen gebaut, die wenigen aber sind trefflich. Er wurde, wie sein
Vater, Geigenmacher der königl. (später kaiserl.) Hofkapelle und des Conservatoriums
und wurde 1862 zum Ritter der Ehrenlegion ernannt. Im Jahre 1855
trat sein Bruder Eugène in das Geschäft, und die Firma lautete von da an bis
1866 »Gand frères« und stand nach wie vor in höchstem Ansehen.
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