France School
Nicolas-Francois Vuillaume
Brussels, Mirecourt, 1802–1876
Fourth son and pupil of Claude François Vuillaume (IV), above. Worked in Paris with his brother Jean-Baptiste, but left for Brussels c.1828. Established first at 11 rue Marnix. Later moved to 30 rue de l’Evêque. Appointed luthier to the conservatoire. Awarded medals and diplomas at the Brussels Exhi\u{2026} — John Dilworth
Auction price history
Highest auction price
24 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Two-piece back, varnish of a plum red colour on a golden ground, repaired sound post crack on the table Lot 65 | Gardiner | March 2025 | £23,180est. £ 12,000-16,000 |
| Violin | Sainte Cécile des Thernes model, labelled Ste Cécile des Thernes Paris 1846 n° 426, fair condition Lot 10 | Laurent | December 2024 | £20,710est. € 18.000-20.000 |
| Cello | Labelled N. F. Vuillaume, No. 284 Luthier du Conservatoire Royal de Musique, Rue de l'Eveque, No. ... Lot 21 | Tarisio | May 2024 | £78,765est. $ 60,000-90,000 |
| Violin | Lot 32 | Bonhams | March 2012 | £10,000 |
| Viola | 38.9 cm Brussels, 1835 | — | October 2009 | £10,381 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm Brussels, 1861 | — | July 2006 | £5,040 |
| Violin | Brussels, 1833 | — | March 2005 | £6,000 |
| Cello | Brussels, 1864 | — | February 2005 | £26,400 |
| Viola | 39.9 cm Brussels, 1841 | — | February 2005 | £15,600 |
| Viola | 38.5 cm Attributed to | — | May 2004 | £3,585 |
| Violin | Ascribed to | — | May 2004 | £2,091 |
| Violin | 1860 | — | June 2002 | £7,458 |
| Violin | 1836 | — | December 2000 | £2,345 |
| Viola | 39.7 cm 1863 | — | October 1999 | £3,267 |
| Violin | 18-- | — | November 1997 | £6,325 |
| Violin | 1862 | — | November 1996 | £10,350 |
| Violin | 1863 | — | June 1996 | £13,800 |
| Violin | 1870 c. | — | October 1995 | £4,600 |
| Cello | 1846 | — | November 1994 | £40,000 |
| Viola | 39.4 cm 1870 | — | June 1994 | £2,760 |
| Violin | 1854 | — | June 1994 | £9,200 |
| Violin | 1842 | — | November 1992 | £3,740 |
| Viola | 39.4 cm 1868 | — | June 1991 | £8,800 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | November 1980 | £242 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Nicolas-Francois Vuillaume (1802-1876) was born in Mirecourt, France, in 1802, specifically on May 13. He was the fourth son and pupil of Claude François Vuillaume (IV), or the third son. He worked in Paris with his brother Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume until approximately 1828. Around 1828, he left Paris and established himself in Brussels, Belgium, initially at 11 rue Marnix, and later moving to 30 rue de l'Evêque. He was appointed luthier to the conservatoire. Nicolas-Francois Vuillaume died in Brussels, Belgium, in 1876, with Cecie Stainer specifying January 16, 1876, in Brabant.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- His work was considered fine and very similar to that of his brother, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, with finished workmanship.
- Models
- He faithfully copied classical models, and made excellent violins after Stradivari, among others. A celebrated and exact copy he made was of the Stradivari 'Servais' 1701 cello, which was considered very fine.
- Varnish
- He used a red varnish, though its texture and clarity were described as less distinguished compared to his brother's.
- Bows
- He also made fine bows, characterized by dark-colored round sticks.
- Branding
- His bows were branded 'N.F.VUILLAUME'. Instruments were also labeled with 'N. F. Vuillaume, No 175 / Luthier du Conservatoire Royal de Musique / Rue de l'Evêque No 30 / NFV Bruxelles / l'an 18...'.
- Fine bows with dark coloured round sticks, branded: N.F.VUILLAUME N. F. Vuillaume, No 175
Luthier du Conservatoire Royal de Musique
Rue de l’Evêque No 30
NFV Bruxelles
l’an 1884John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: He was a pupil of his father, Claude François Vuillaume (IV).
- Collaboration: He worked with his brother, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, in Paris until 1828.
- Awards: He was awarded medals and diplomas at various exhibitions, including the Brussels Exhibitions in 1835 (silver medal) and 1841 (silver medal), the London Exhibition in 1851 (medals of first class), the Paris Exhibition in 1855 (medals of first class), the Dublin Exhibition in 1867 (medals of first class), and the Vienna Exhibition in 1873 (medals of first class).
- Honors: The Belgian government made him a Chevalier de l'Ordre de Léopold.
- Appointments: He was appointed luthier to the conservatoire in Brussels.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
VUILLAUME, Nicolas-François Born 1802 Mirecourt France, died 1876 Brussels Belgium. Fourth son and pupil of Claude François Vuillaume (IV), above. Worked in Paris with his brother Jean-Baptiste, but left for Brussels c.1828. Established first at 11 rue Marnix. Later moved to 30 rue de l’Evêque. Appointed luthier to the conservatoire. Awarded medals and diplomas at the Brussels Exhibitions 1835 and 1841, London 1831, Paris 1855, Dublin 1867, and Vienna 1873. Made Chevalier de l’Ordre de Léopold by the Belgian government. Fine work, not unlike that of his brother Jean-Baptiste. Classical models faithfully copied, although red varnish of less distinguished texture and clarity. Celebrated copies of the Stradivari ‘Servais’ 1701 cello. Fine bows with dark coloured round sticks, branded: N.F.VUILLAUME N. F. Vuillaume, No 175 / Luthier du Conservatoire Royal de Musique / Rue de l’Evêque No 30 / NFV Bruxelles / l’an 1884
Cecie Stainer+
Third son of Claude Vuillaume; b. May 13,1802, Mirecourt; d. Jan. 16, 1876, Brabant. He worked with his brother, Jean Baptiste, in Paris, till 1828; and then went to Brussels. He made good instruments, of finished workmanship, with red varnish; an exact copy he made of the Stradivari violoncello belonging to Prof. Servais was very fine. Awards : silver medals, Brussels Exhibitions, 1835 and 1841 ; medals of first class, London Exhibition, 1851 ; Paris Exhibition, 1855; Dublin Exhibition, 1867; and Vienna Exhibition, 1873. The Belgian Government also made him a Chevalier de l’Ordre de Leopold.
George Hart+
Brother of [J.B. Vuillaume]. Was well known both as a maker and connoisseur. Born in 1802.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Dritter Sohn und Schüler von Claude V. Er arbeitete bis 1828 bei seinem Bruder J. B. V. in Paris und liess sich dann in Brüssel nieder. Er kommt seinem Bruder sehr nahe, machte ausgezeichnete Geigen nach Stradivari u. A. und erhielt zahlreiche Medaillen, sowie den Leopolds-Orden. Auch seine Bögen sind sehr gut.
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