Riviere and Hawkes Double Bass 1886 - #2299 |
||||||||||||||||
Another one of those desirable Mirecourt instruments shaped like a large violin with a swell-back and characterised by one of those secondary buttons on its upper back. On first glances it is. But what about a second glance? Just take a look at the heavily flamed two piece back with matching wood in the ribs and scroll, then take a look at that stunning deep-red oil varnish with that ever so fine craquel to it's surface texture. It's definitely some of the most exquisite stuff that one will ever have the pleasure to feast one's eyes upon. Yes, this instrument is something very special indeed. Peering through the bass side “f” hole of this instrument will reveal the most perfect of handwriting imaginable. There, inscribed in pencil on the back is the name and date ‘Riviere & Hawkes, November 1886.' A Hawkes I hear you cry. But that doesn't look like the big Hawkes Professor, Concert and Panormo instruments that I know. Yes, that's right, it doesn't. And that's because this one is the French version of the instruments that we commonly associate with the name Hawkes & Sons. Hawkes & Sons imported instruments from both Germany and France. Today however one seldom sees the French version. These were made to exacting standards by some of the best Mirecourt makers of the day. Can you tell me who exactly made them? Well, up until we took the table off from this instrument there was, to my knowledge, no information as to who made them or supplied them to Hawkes, especially regarding an instrument made in the earliest of days of the Hawkes company. On the inside table of this instrument, located on the lower treble side can be found the pencil inscription ‘Jacquet - Barbezant, Mirecourt, Vosger 1886'. What does this mean? Well the Encyclopaedia of Violin Makers by Karel Jalovec reveals that Fréderic Barbezant (b. Mirecourt 1834 d. 1906) owned a business that supplied the home industry of Mirecourt. Under the six surnames listed by Jalovec entitled Jacquet, a Joseph Jacquet (b. Mirecourt 1850 d. 1900) is of interest. Joseph was in fact the third son of Joseph Xavier Jacquet the renowned double bass maker. Jalovec continues; ‘After a long association with his brother Gabriel he took over the workshop of his brother-in-law Fréderic Barbezant, where, however, he organised only the mass-production of instrument parts'. From Jalovec`s valuable information and the indisputable evidence inscribed on the table of this instrument it would be safe to say that the Jaquet- Barbezant association were suppliers of instruments to Hawkes and indeed this was obviously quite a family affair. It is also quite possible that both Jacquet and Barbesant contributed to some of the actual instrument production, although based on the quality of this particular instrument, it is more than likely that the production of this high class instrument was commissioned from one of the better Mirecourt makers of the day. Who else do we know was making in Mirecourt at that time? Well Justin Derazey`s name does spring to mind for we know that he did make a considerable number of double basses, based on this model, of this quality of construction and with an oil varnish similar to this in terms of colour, quality and texture. For now and until we learn more this would be the Contrabass Shoppe's attribution if one had to be made. Wonderful as all this research is. What about the instrument itself? Well as you know, quality of construction usually results in a certain quality of sound and as far as this instrument is concerned both are not far from perfection. This is quality stuff indeed. With regard restoration, there's a new neck that complements the instrument perfectly while the conversion from the original three strings has been effected with a stunning set of English style cogs. Internally all cracks have been immaculately studded and there's even a new bass bar. Should you doubt that the restoration work has not been done without compromise then a photograph of the table restoration accompanies this instrument, as do photographs of the historically important internal table inscription. Width at the upper bout 20.9in (53.0cm) Price UK£ 22 000 - Convert price with XE.com Personal Currency Assistant
|
