Here is a fine 19th century violin by the great French maker Pierre Joseph Hel. Born in 1842. Part of the “New School” of violin making begun by Lupot. Beautiful lush golden orange varnish, birds eye maple back, superb condition. According to Henley, he “had a special method of seasoning the woods which (without aid of fire or acids) removed every element likely to interfere with the freedom and sonority of tone.”

Label reads:

Fait par J. HEL
Luthierdu Conservatoire
4 Rue Nationale, Lille
84 No. 94
Grand Medaille d’Or
A l’Exposition Internationale de Lille 1882

Branded above label J. HEL