French Violin Charles Bailly, make for Louis Fernand Billotte 1946, GE-217

Charles Bailly, (Collaboration with Fernand Billottet)

Charles BAILLY was a distinguished French violin maker active in Mirecourt*during the 1930s–1950s, a period often regarded as the renaissance of modern French lutherie. Trained within one of the traditional Mirecourt workshops, Bailly inherited the classical methods of craftsmanship that had been perfected by earlier masters such as Léon Mougenot and Paul Mangenot. His career coincided with a remarkable revival of fine hand‑crafted instruments following World War II, when Mirecourt served as the creative nucleus of French string‑instrument making.  

Known among his peers for his exceptional precision, refined wood selection, and graceful modelling, Charles Bailly produced instruments that combine balanced acoustics with understated elegance. His workmanship reflects the qualities most admired in French violins of this era — luminous oil varnish in warm amber‑red tones, carefully carved arching, and a strong, singing tone free from harshness.  

Recognition & Achievements

Although not widely publicized outside specialist circles, Bailly’s instruments were appreciated by professional musicians and merchants alike. Several of his violins were exhibited in regional Expositions de Lutherie during the late 1940s, where he earned commendations for craftsmanship and tonal excellence. His work was also represented in the Salon des Artisans Français in Paris, an event celebrating the country’s finest artisans.
  
These distinctions place Bailly within the lineage of mid‑century Mirecourt makers whose instruments bridged traditional French style with modern acoustic sensibilities.  

Collaboration with Fernand Billottet

Around *1945, Bailly produced a violin specially commissioned by Louis Fernand Billottet (1895–1975), a prominent Parisian luthier celebrated for his mastery in tonal adjustment. The instrument bears an original label reading “Revu et mis au point par F. Billottet en 1946” — “Reviewed and refined by F. Billottet in 1946” — and carries Billottet’s handwritten signature inside the back. This mark confirms the violin’s dual provenance and the collaboration between two respected French craftsmen of their generation.  

Works

Charles Bailly’s violins embody the essence of post‑war Mirecourt artistry: refined lines, harmonious proportions, and a tonal palette both radiant and responsive. They are constructed from well‑seasoned spruce and flamed maple, finished with transparent varnish highlighting the natural beauty of the wood.  

Examples such as this 1946 instrument, perfected under Billottet’s supervision, remain sought after by musicians for their clarity, projection, and distinctly French timbre — qualities that make them equally suitable for serious performers and discerning collectors.  

Maker : Charles Bailly
Provenance : Mirecourt
Year : circa 1946
Certificate: Boyer
Ref: GE-217

With Boyer certificate

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