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Paris School

Sebastien Vuillaume

Paris, 1835–1875

Sebastien VUILLAUME (1835-1875) was a French violin and bow maker, born in Mirecourt and active in Paris. He was the son and pupil of Claude-François Vuillaume and the nephew of the renowned Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, for whom he also worked. Establishing his own workshop around 1867, he produced good classical models with a deep red-brown varnish and very functional bows, sometimes achieving excellent quality. He was awarded a bronze medal in 1867 and a silver medal in 1868, and his business was later succeeded by Nestor Audinot.

Worked Paris
Made Viola, Violin
Taught by Claude-François Vuillaume
Family Son of Claude-François Vuillaume

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£15,783

16 results

Type Details Auction house Sold Price
Violin Lot 233BonhamsMay 2014£2,500
Violin35.3 cm Paris, 1860 c.December 2011£10,568
Violin35.9 cm Mid 19th C. Attributed toMarch 2011£3,600
Violin36.6 cm Paris, 1860 c. Attributed toApril 2010£5,499
Violin35.9 cm Paris, 1870 c.November 2008£6,985
Viola40.0 cm Paris, 1868June 2008£15,783
Violin35.5 cm Paris, 1864 c.March 2007£3,738
ViolinParis, 1865November 2005£13,200
ViolinParis, 1870 c.May 2005£14,531
Viola49.0 cm Paris, 1860 c. ContraltoApril 2005£2,005
Violin1848June 1998£11,500
Violin1860 c.November 1997£5,060
Violin1865 c.June 1991£7,150
Violin1857June 1990£2,530
Violin1859July 1984£2,310
Violin1870 c.September 1980£1,980

Maker Overview

Life

Sebastien VUILLAUME (1835-1875) was born in Mirecourt and died in Paris on November 17, 1875. He was the son of Claude François Vuillaume and the nephew of the celebrated Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume. Sebastien Vuillaume established his independent business in Paris from approximately 1867. Nestor Audinot assisted him and later succeeded him in his workshop., he was the last maker of this family.

Characteristics

Workmanship
Sebastien Vuillaume made a few excellent instruments, though his work could be inconsistent. In his best pieces, he sometimes approached the quality of his uncle, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, but was never on the same level.
Models
He produced good classical models.
Varnish
His instruments often featured a deep red-brown varnish.
Bows
He was a skilled bow maker, continuing to produce bows on the same pattern as Jean Baptiste Vuillaume. He possessed the machine for cutting bows that J. B. V. had invented shortly before his death. His bows are described as very good and functional.
Recorded labels
  • Sebastien Vuillaume à Paris
    27 Boulevard Bonne NouvelleJohn Dilworth

Influence and legacy

  • Training: He was the son and pupil of Claude-François Vuillaume.
  • Mentorship: He worked for his uncle, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume.
  • Awards: Sebastien Vuillaume received a bronze medal at the Paris Exhibition in 1867 and a silver medal at the Havre Exhibition in 1868.
  • Succession: His business was assisted and later succeeded by Nestor Audinot.
  • Family Lineage:, he was the last maker of the Vuillaume family.
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Biographies

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

John Dilworth+

VUILLAUME, Sebastien Born 1835 Mirecourt, died 1875 Paris France. Son and pupil of Claude-François Vuillaume (V), above. Worked for his uncle, Jean-Baptiste, above. Established independently at 27 boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle, Paris from c.1867. Awarded bronze and silver medals at Paris Exhibitions of 1867 and 1868. Assisted and succeeded by Nestor Audinot. Inconsistent work. Good classical models, but never on the level of Jean-Baptiste. Deep red-brown varnish. Very good and functional bows. Sebastien Vuillaume à Paris / 27 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle

Cecie Stainer+

Son of Claude François Vuillaume ; b. 1835 d. Nov. 17, 1875, Paris. He founded a business in Paris at 17, Boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle, to which Audinot succeeded. He was the last maker of this family, and continued to make bows on the same pattern as Jean Baptiste Vuillaume, having in his possession the machine for cutting bows which J. B. V. had invented shortly before his death. Awards: bronze medal, Paris Exhibition, 1867 ; silver medal, Havre Exhibition, 1868.

George Hart+

Nephew of J. B. Vuillaume, made a few excellent instruments.

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Sohn von Claude François II. V., Neffe von J. B. V. Ein tüchtiger Geigen und Bogenmacher, der seine Werkstatt Boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle No. 17 hatte. Erhielt 1867 und 1868 Medaillen und kam in seinen besten Arbeiten seinem Oheim manchmal nahe.

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