A Parisian “Montagnana” Violin, Probably Workshop of Paul Bailly, Circa 1900.

Paul Bailly (1844-1907) is celebrated as one of the most prolific and well traveled French luthiers of his era, producing some 3000 instruments during his lifetime and employing skilled artisans for his workshop, including his daughter, Jenny Bailly. He apprenticed under Jules Gaillard in Mirecourt and went on to work for Prosper Cabase, Grandjon Pere, Jean Baptiste Vuillaume in Paris, Nicolas Vuillaume in Brussels, and enjoyed decades long tenures in the United States and England before finally resettling in France and opening his Parisian workshop in 1898.

This immaculate violin patterned after Domenico Montagnana from close to 1900 was one of several models produced by Paul Bailly’s workshop, and though it boasts only a facsimile label in its belly, represents a characteristically fine example of the shop’s workmanship and graceful attention to detail. Set apart from the typical trade work of the era, these are more comparable to the higher-end production of the early JB Colin-Mezin workshop. This violin exemplifies the finest selection in materials. Notably, it features a one piece back of irregular curly flame; a detail which immediately catches the eye and levates the aesthetic before attention turns to detail work which at once evokes both a meticulous quality and an air of effortlessness. Its voice is robust and mature, clear and vibrant with a supple quality to response that is sure to excite more demanding players.