George Chanot, Paris, 1839

George Chanot was one of the leading Parisian makers during the mid 19th century along with Jean Baptiste Vuillaume.

Chanot was especially influenced by Nicolo Paganini and produced some of the most faithful copies of Paganini’s favorite maker, Giuseppe Guarneri “del Gesù.”

This violin is a superb early example of his work and, interestingly, bears an original inscription of his father, Joseph, also a violin maker. This “del Gesù” copy produces a sound as grand as its appearance.