A Fine French Viola By Georges Apparut, 1937. 16 1/2.”

Georges Apparut (1877-1948) apprenticed with his father Leon Apparut (A pupil of Caussin and business partner of Paul Bailly) in Juraincourt from the age of 14 and continued developing his personal style in Lyons, working under Paul Blanchard from 1896-1899. Already an accomplished maker, Apparut moved to Brussels next, working with Mougenot from 1900 through the end of 1902. His next appointment was as head of artistic production at Laberte, a position he held until 1921. Apparut spent 1924 in Avignon working as Pouzolle’s assistant and moved back to Mirecourt in 1925 to assume leadership of Victor Joseph Charrote’s workshop. He won gold medals at several competitions including Nancy 1909, Brussels in 1910, Gand in 1913, and was awarded the highly coveted  Meilleur Ouvrier de France Diploma in 1928. 

Georges Apparut operated a small shop in Charrote’s tradition consisting of a few skilled artisans that at any given time included one or two other master craftsmen and an apprentice which included as many as 20 familiar names over the course of his career. Most notably, René Cune from 1930-1939, Jean Peticolas, Louis Delignon, Jacques Francais, and Paul Hilaire who would assume leadership of the shop alongside Apparut’s widow when he died in 1948. 

This 420mm or 16 1/2” viola from 1937 numbered 58 is a beautiful, highly characteristic example of Georges Apparut’s personal work which offers a classic aesthetic evolved through a rich lineage of French violin making traditions. The one-piece back features tight, irregular flame, with matching ribs and headstock, which immediately evokes elegance in personality. The table, of tight, even grained spruce, with fluted Stradivari inspired f-holes with subtle flair to the lower wings. A highly desirable viola with a voice as brilliantly rich and clear as the colour of its varnish.