Gaspard Duiffoprugcar is fanciful rendering of the name, Kasper Tieffenbrucker, a violinmaker who was born near Fuessen in Bavaria in 1514.This violin is a very fine example of the numerous copies of Gaspard Duiffoprugcar's work, produced in Mirecourt, and also in Saxony - those by the Derazey workshop being highly respected as very serious instruments, built to the high standards associated with the Derazey tradition. It features an inlaid city tableau in the back, reminiscent of the religious section of the city of Lyons in France, with the St Sebastian church and surrounding monastic buildings.

Interestingly the ribs bear an abbreviated version of the popular Latin 'Brescian Legend', which is basically an ode to the tree from which the violin was made. The contracted version, as on this violin, reads: 'VIVA FUI IVI SYLVIS DEO VI MORT VA DUL CE'. There are many renderings of this legend, but a very free translation of the original uncontracted version reads:

Living, I dwelt in the forest. By an axe my death I did meet. While living my voice was silent, but in death my song is sweet.

This violin is built on the Maggini pattern, which is slightly wider and longer than usual with fairly flat arching, double purfling and elongated sound holes. These copies were very popular among violin making workshops in France and Germany. The master, J. B. Vuillaume, had many Maggini copies made in his workshops as did the French firm of Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy and the workshop and studio of Justin Derazey, to which this instrument is attributed.

This instrument shows a fine selection of materials - the two-piece back and ribs are of well-flamed maple with a distinct curl. The back has the inlaid city scene. The top is of medium grain tone spruce. All the purfling is doubled. The neck and scroll are less flamed.

This violin is exceptionally well-toned with a big bold tone and excellent projection. It is certainly equal to any demand made on it within in the standard solo repertoire.

Dimensions :
	Length of back: 36.0 cm

Condition :
	This violin is completely free from cracks or evident repairs and can be said to be in excellent condition. It has a new bridge, tailpiece and a fine ebony chinrest, along with new dominant strings.

Provenance :
	Withheld

Price :

On request