French Brass-mounted Double Violin Case, Gainier Debouche, c. 1820

Description:

French Brass-mounted Double Violin Case, Gainier Debouche, c. 1820, the leather exterior gilt-embossed with floral motif, the lid embossed FR. T. WEXSCHALL., the case floor labeled Rue Saint-Honoré, entre les rues de/l'Arbre-Sec et du Roule, No. 91./DEBOUCHE,/GAÎNIER, Successeur de GREMER./Fait des Etuis pour toutes sortes d'ins-/truments, comme Harpes, Guitares,/Basses, Violons, Flutes, Clarinettes,/Trompettes, Cors-de-Chasse, Cors en/tous les tons; généralement tout ce qui/concerne la Musique. A PARIS., approximate length of back 365 mm, ht. 5 3/4, wd. 31 1/8, dp. 11 1/4 in.

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

N.B. "Friderich Thorkildsen Wexschall was a violinist of some distinction in the early part of the 19th century. He was born 1798 and died in Copenhagen 25th May 1845. He was married to an actress Anna Nielsen 9th of August 1823, but the marriage didn´t last and they divorced in 1831.

He showed early promise and quickly rose to become concertmaster of the Danish Royal Orchestra in Copenhagen. It was probably upon this appointment, or shortly afterwards, that he commissioned this magnificent case to house his two violins. Although we don't know what violins he possessed (in 1864 that a wealthy goldsmith donated a 1714 Stradivarius violin to be used by the concertmaster...) it was customary for concertmasters to use two violins during concerts so that a quick substitute was available if a string broke.

We know exactly who undertook the commission and where because of a label under the padding. According to the label, a M. Debouche, successor to Gremer, specialized in making cases for all types of musical instruments and was located at #91, Rue Saint Honore between Rue de l'Arbre-Sec and du Roule. Debouche was one of the few case makers to ever use a label to identify his work. For him, case making for all types of musical instruments was his specialty and he excelled at it. The label specifies that this firm made cases not only for violins but also for harps, guitars, basses, flutes, clarinets, trumpets and a variety of horns."
G.P.W.
Estimate $600-800


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