Gaspard Duiffopruggar Violin Copy- Handmade In A Workshop In Mirecourt, France circa 1880-1900

click picture to enlarge

Label:

The history of the Duiffopruggar copies of Garspard Duiffopruggar is interesting because he was also known by Gaspar or Caspar Tieffenbrucker in his German days. Gaspard was an instrument maker who was born in 1514 near Füssen in Bavaria, Germany. He later moved to Lyon, France where he did most of his work, and later died in 1570. He became well-known for making lutes, viols, and basses. However, the ornately designed violins labeled “Gaspard Duiffopruggar” (seen in several different styles and types of ornamentation) were originally created and distributed by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume in Paris. According to the National Museum of American History, J.B. Vuillaume’s interest in copying the great Cremonese masters led to a commission of his copying an ornamented viola da gamba attributed to Gaspar Tieffenbrucker.

By 1830 H. Derazey (1794-1883), who worked for Vuillaume and had grown up in Mirecourt, became the maker of the Gaspar da Salo decorated copies, also known as the ornamental “Duiffopruggar” violins of the J.B. Vuillaume shop. Eventually H. Derazey opened his own workshop in Mirecourt where he was joined by his son, Justin Derazey (1810-1890). They continued to make the highly ornamental “Duiffopruggar” instruments. Because of the popularity of the instruments, the largest of the great Mirecourt instrument making shops, the Jerome Thiboutville-Lamy (JTL) firm began making and distributing their own line of “Duiffopruggar” violins. This is one of those JTL Mirecourt violins.

The label inside the violin has the date of 1642, not anywhere near the correct date for the maker. Therefore, a very nice Mirecourt copy. The interior label reads “Gaspard Duiffopruggard, Bretia -Anno 1642”. The violin has doubled, inlaid purfling, a standard violin scroll, no ornate head, and a fine inlay on the back of a Parisian city. The pegs have been bushed and a new set of pegs carved for the instrument. We have restored/replaced one edge on the treble side spruce top. The violin is in good condition for the age of the instrument.

Corpus 360.0 mm., Major Width 209.0 mm., Minor Width 174.0 mm. Rib Height 29.0 mm.

The sound on the violin is simply gorgeous. The tone is warm, mature, and rich, ringing on all four voices. The tone has beautiful sustain that loses nothing. The response off the strings is genuine, full of life, and helps to set the violin apart. The G and D strings sound is slightly woody and covered in nature and the treble strings are sweet, ring with clarity, and produce the same depth of power. A player will fall in love with this violin. Age, late 19th century French, Mirecourt violin, and a great sound. Are you looking for a second violin that is off the charts different to add to your collection? Yup, this could be it.