Hippolyte Silvestre
1808–1879
Hippolyte Silvestre (1808-1879) was a French luthier known for his partnership with his brother Pierre in Lyon, forming Silvestre Frères. After training with Blaise and J.-B. Vuillaume, he contributed to the family business, which he managed for a period after his brother's death before transferring it to his nephew. His instruments, crafted on classical Cremonese models with shaded varnish, are described as "very good clean professional work," though individually labeled pieces are rare.
Maker Overview
Life
Hippolyte SILVESTRE (1808-1879) was born on December 14, 1808, in Saint-Nicolas-du-Port, Meurthe, France, and passed away on December 3, 1879, in Sommerviller, near Nancy. He began his career as an apprentice with Blaise at Mirecourt, and later worked in the shop of J.-B. Vuillaume in Paris. In 1829, or 1831, and Cecie Stainer, he entered into a partnership with his brother Pierre in Lyon, forming Silvestre Frères. He collaborated with his brother until 1848, when he retired to Sommerviller, continuing to make instruments as a hobby. Following the death of his brother Pierre in 1859, Hippolyte was compelled to resume management of the concern in Lyon to prevent its collapse. He continued in this role until 1865, when he retired once more to Sommerviller, transferring the business to his nephew, M.-H.-C. Silvestre, also referred to as Chrétian or H. Chretien.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- Hippolyte Silvestre's work, though considered by Henri Poidras not to be equal to that of his brother, "deserves much praise." John Dilworth describes his output as "very good clean professional work of a commercial sort."
- Models and Varnish
- He crafted instruments on "classical Cremonese models with shaded varnish,".
- Labeling
- Instruments bearing his individual label are "very rare" because he was primarily involved in the business aspect of the partnership. Joint labels with his brother Pierre are more frequently encountered than his solo-labeled pieces.
Influence and legacy
- Apprenticeship: Hippolyte Silvestre was a pupil of Blaise in Mirecourt.
- Mentorship: He later worked with J.-B. Vuillaume in Paris, or in Mirecourt.
- Succession: In 1865, Hippolyte Silvestre transferred the family business to his nephew, M.-H.-C. Silvestre, also known as Chrétian or H. Chretien, who was his sister's son.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SILVESTRE, Hippolyte Born 1808 Saint-Nicolas-du-Port, died 1879 Sommerviller France. Pupil of Blaise and J. B. Vuillaume in Mirecourt. Associated with his brother Pierre from 1831 as Silvestre Frères. Retired to Sommerviller 1848, but after Pierre’s death in 1859 resumed work at his shop in Lyons. Passed on the business to his nephew Chrétian 1865 and retired again to Sommerviller. His own labelled instruments are very rare since he was mostly involved in business. Joint labels with Pierre are more often seen than individual labels. Very good clean professional work of a commercial sort on classical Cremonese models with shaded varnish.
Cecie Stainer+
b. Dec. 14. 1808, Saint-Nicolas-du-Port (Meurthe); d. Dec. 3,1879, Sommerviller, near Nancy. Was first a pupil of Blaise at Mirecourt, then of J. B. Vuillaume at Paris. In 1831 he joined his brother Pierre at Lyons, and worked with him till 1848. On the death of Pierre in 1859 he again took up the business, and continued in it till 1865, when he transferred it to H. Chretien, his sister’s son, and retired to Sommerviller, where he died.
George Hart+
Brother of Pierre, with whom he entered into partnership at Lyons, in 1829. Hippolyte, worked in the shop of Vuillaume.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Schüler von Blaise in Mirecourt und später von J. B. Vuillaume in Paris. Im Jahre 1831 trat er als Theilhaber in das Geschäft seines Bruders Pierre ein, wo er bis 1848 blieb. Später zog er sich nach Sommerviller zurück. Nach dem Tode seines Bruders übernahm er 1859 die Werkstatt wieder und behielt sie bis 1865. Er ging dann wieder nach Sommerviller, wo er starb.
Henri Poidras+
Lyons 1808-1879. Born af Saint- Nicolas-du-Port (Meurthe). Like his brother, he was apprenticed with Blaise at Mirecourt. Later, he was a workman with J.-B. Vuillaume, then went into partnership with his brother at Lyons in. 1831, collaborating with him until 1848, when he retired to Sommerviller, continuing to make instruments as a hobby. At the death of his brother Pierre he was obliged to resume management of the concern to save it from disaster. In 1865 he retired again, leaving the business to his nephew,, M.-H.-C. Silvestre. His work, though not equal to that of his brother, deserves much praise.
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