Breton Brevete - Introduction

This instrument is a fine example of a late 19th Century 3/4 size French violin.  The back is one piece maple exhibiting a nice curl.  The ribs and neck are also of well selected curly maple.  The two piece top plate is quarter sawn spruce.

The label inside reads BRETON BREVETE DE S.A.R.ME and the name Breton is stamped on the button.  The name Breton Brevete was created by Joseph-François Breton, who used it until his death in 1837.  However, after this time it appears to have passed into the public domain, and was used by a number of Mirecourt workshops.

It is likely that this violin was made by the Jerome Thibouville-Lamy workshops who at their peak reached annual production rates of over 150,000 instruments produced by more than 1,000 luthiers. They produced a 3/4 size Breton model which sold for 17 Fr in 1867.

Unfortunately this violin has suffered from neglect, and has sat, un-used in a garden shed for many years. The top is cracked in at least two places, and has suffered from a number of gauges and dents, most notably at the right hand f hole, where a small section of the top is missing.  The ribs and back are largely intact and are in fair condition, but are coming away from the top.  The sound post is still in place, but the end block has come away from the ribs and can be heard rattling around inside.  There is some cosmetic damage to the original finish, including a number of darkened areas on the back and ribs.  The original tuning pegs, nut, bridge, and tail piece are all present, but the instrument has probably not been strung up for many years.

I intend to restore this fine old violin, back into a condition where it can be played and enjoyed for many more years to come.