It's the head of the first violin maker (1514 – 1570) according to Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume
Carved head of the violin, depicting Gasparo Duiffopruggar
Original German name: Kaspar Tieffenbrucker
Old work of art, depicting Gasparo Duiffopruggar
This violin was possibly made by DERAZEY (1794 – 1883). It was made as a replica of Gaspard Duiffoprugcar's violins. Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume claimed that he had an original violin by Gaspard Duiffoprugcar in his possession, but he never showed it to the public. Vuillaume said that he would keep that violin to be able to make copies of it. Duiffoprugcar is said to have been the first violin maker to make violins in their current form.
The violin also carries a small label "Vuillaume". It was made around 1830 in France, when Vuillaume had emerged on the violin making scene in France. Derazey's violins were also sold by Vuillaume. Derazey could perhaps have made this violin. Most likely, it was made in a workshop that produced instruments for Vuillaume.
It shows an exceptionally well carved head of the first violin maker, Gasparo Duiffopruggar (Kaspar Tieffenbrucker) .
The inlaid bottom shows a fortified city decor, possibly Lyon where his house and workshop were demolished to make room for some city defense buildings.
This particular violin has a very beautiful, velvety tone.
This violin can be viewed at Animato Strings.
(It is not for sale.)
Click Here for other Beautiful French Violins for Sale at Animato Strings
Violin maker (1794 – 1883)
Honoré Derazey was trained in Mirecourt and then worked for various makers in Paris, including J.B. Vuillaume between 1830 and 1839. This violin was most likely made during this period. He returned to Mirecourt around 1840 to establish his own workshop.
Gasparo Duiffopruggar (also Gaspard Duiffoprugcar and originally 'Caspar Tieffenbrucker,' was born in 1514 in Tiefenbruck (one 'f'), a small estate near Füssen, Germany, close to the castle Neuschwanstein. He died 1570 in Lyons, France. He was a member of a large and influential family of luthiers. The family separated into two streams, one working in Italy and the other, initiated by Gaspar, settling in Lyons in 1533. He became a French citizen in 1558.