French Leather-bound Violin Case, Probably Gainier Debouche, c. 1874

Description:

French Leather-bound Violin Case, Probably Gainier Debouche, c. 1874, the burgundy leather exterior, the gilded mounts engraved with acanthus leaf and lyre motifs throughout, the handle plate monogrammed AS, the green velvet interior, approximate length of back 370 mm, ht. 5 5/8, wd. 31 5/16, dp. 9 1/2 in.

Provenance: The collection of Dr. Glenn P. Wood.

N.B. "This case is unique amongst cases in that every metal surface is gilded and hand engraved.

The carefully designed, spring-loaded bow holders are highly unusual and ensure that the bow frogs are visible in their entirety.

Such an exceptional case was clearly commissioned for an exceptional violin.

The engraved letters AS on the handle plate appear to be a double entendre suggesting the names of the Belgian industrialist Amédée Soil and Antonio Stradivari. We like to believe that Soil commissioned the case for the exceptional 1714 Stradivari violin that bears his name 'SOIL' and was formerly owned by Yehudi Menuhin. That violin's dimensions have been verified and correspond perfectly to the internal dimensions of this case.

This case was almost certainly made by Debouche in Paris, c. 1874, possibly the finest case maker of his day.

This case is a superior version of the one he made earlier for Paganini currently in the possession of the Museum in Genoa."
G.P.W.
Estimate $1,000-1,500


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