An Early 19th Century French Violin By Nicolas Morlot, Circa 1825.

Born in the French Mecca of the instrument trade, Mirecourt in 1780, Nicolas Morlot came of age during the prolonged revolution scenes of which would stay with him for the rest of his life. Like his contemporary, Francois Jacques Barbe, Morlot served as a cannoneer under Napoleon and survived a series of wars that claimed the lives of three million soldiers. He studied with Didier Nicolas and was active as a violin maker from 1800, establishing himself in his hometown of Mirecourt and working through at least 1840. He was also a skilled painter; his violins feature one piece backs, often depicting complex scenes from the wars or intriguing folklore from different cultures. Morlot utilized trianglular brandstamps inspired by those of D. Nicolas: reading, “A La Ville - De Cremonne - Nicolas Morlot,” with an additional circle encapsulating the initials, “NM” at the center of the brand. And like Didier Nicolas, Morlot’s name continued to see use in trade instruments through the second half of the 19th century and until about 1900.

This excitingly well preserved example of Nicolas Morlot’s work was made between 1820 and 1830, circa 1825. It is plain, but beautiful. That is to say, the pronounced irregular flame of the maple clearly reflects through the translucent orange-brown varnish typical of that era in Mirecourt making without any additional painting or extra decoration. The work is very reminiscent of his mentor’s, Didier Nicolas, but also draws some influence in the scroll from Francois Salzard - quite elegant in its shape and treatment of the volutes. Somewhat Strad inspired, with more upright f-holes with deeply fluted lower wings, and pronounced channeling, offset by a tall, rounded edge. Commanding a voice that is boisterously large and powerful, complex but well defined, with a clear bite to articulations and an immensely gratifying balance between resistance and immediate response.