French Violin Makers
Darte (Auguste). – Mirecourt, 19th century . Student, son-in-law, and successor of Nicolas Vuillaume. He had worked for J.-B. Vuillaume in Paris. He died in Mirecourt in 1888.
Delannoy (L.). – Lille, 19th century : Repaired by L. Delannoy in Lille in 1835. A similar label dated 1828 was found in a Fent violin.
Delaunay. – Paris, 1775. Known from the small hurdy-gurdy, bearing this date, which is in the instrumental museum of the Conservatoire, in Paris [369] .
Delunet (Auguste). – Paris. Contemporary luthier. Originally from Mirecourt, he completed his apprenticeship there and spent a few years with MH-C. Silvestre in Paris, before working on his own account at 10 rue Paradis.
Denizot. – Tours, 1828. Oval label, printed on red paper: Repaired by Denizot Luthier in Tours, 1828.
Derazey (Just). – Mirecourt. Son and successor of the preceding. Died around 1885. He made fairly good luthiers, most often branded with a fire mark. In 1864, he became the owner of the stringed instrument factory of Joseph Nicolas Jr.
Desroussaux. – Verdun, 18th century . We saw a violin of ordinary manufacture, branded under the heel of the neck: Desrousseaux at Verdun.
Dieulafait. – Paris, 1720. Known for a very fine seven-stringed bass viol, which is in the museum of the Conservatoire de musique, in Paris [371] .
Du Mesnil (Jacques). – Paris, 1655. Known from a violin-shaped pouch, a true little gem, which is in the museum of the Conservatoire de musique, in Paris [372] .