Jean-Baptiste Deshayes Salomon

History

Jean-Baptiste Deshayes SALOMON (1713-after 1767) was born in Rheims in 1713 and died after 1767 in Paris, France. He is believed to have arrived in Paris from Rheims around the late 1730s. In 1748, he married Barbe Deshaies, the widow of J. Ouvrard, and subsequently adopted the name 'Jean-Baptiste Deshayes'. Following his marriage, he worked in the former Ouvrard shop located in the place de l'École. He was appointed Master of the violin makers' guild in 1760, a testament to the esteem in which his colleagues held him. Salomon was a highly successful businessman and dealer in various musical instruments. His widow continued the business after his death, with Namy directing the shop from 1772, initially at the Place de l'École, and later moving it to the Quai de la Mégisserie, where it operated until 1789.

Craft

• Workmanship: Jean-Baptiste Deshayes SALOMON's production was extensive but inconsistent, leading to instruments of varying quality, from very good to mediocre. Many instruments bearing his name are presumed to have been constructed by various outworkers.
• Models: Recognizable models in his oeuvre include those reminiscent of Chappuy and Guersan. His work style is noted to be similar to Chappuy's.
• Varnish: The varnish he employed ranged from a softer red-brown to a hard pale golden-brown. Other descriptions include yellow-brown spirit varnish, similar to Guersan's, and simply yellow varnish.
• Construction: He often used available wood for the tops of his instruments, and the backs were typically kept quite flat.
• Instruments: While he made violins, his violoncellos are generally considered better, with some exhibiting excellent wood and fine tone. He also crafted Liebesgeigen (viola d'amore) with beautifully carved heads, bass viols, and was praised as a harp maker. His 'cellos are particularly sought after when they reach the appropriate size.
• Branding & Labels: Instruments were frequently branded below the back button with 'Salomon' or 'Salomon à Paris'. Various labels were used, including "Salomon / de Paris, 1740", "Salomon / 1742", "Salomon Luthier a Ste Cecille / Place de l'ecole a Paris, 1741", "Parisiis apud Salomonem ad insign. / Sta Caecilia Scholae Palatio / 1754", and "Salomon / Maître Luthier à Paris, Rue / l'Arbre-sec à Ste Cecille".

Influence

• Contemporaries: His work is noted to be similar in pattern to that of his contemporary, Louis Guersan.
• Stylistic Influences: His work reminds observers of Chappuy's style, while his yellow-brown spirit varnish is more akin to Guersan's.

Legacy

• Collections: A Liebesgeige (viola d'amore) with a finely carved head by Salomon is preserved in the Paris Conservatoire Collection (No. 156). A similar instrument is held by the Conservatorium in Brussels, and a violin from the Snoeck collection (No. 530) is in Berlin.
• Demand: Despite the variability in his output, instruments by Jean-Baptiste Deshayes SALOMON are much in demand, with his 'cellos being particularly sought after.

Further Information

• Addresses & Shops: He was established in Paris on the rue de Grenelle Saint Honoré at the sign 'Sainte-Cécile'. He later worked in the old Ouvrard shop in place de l'École. He also resided on the Rue de l'arbre sec. His widow later moved the business to the Quai de la Mégisserie.
• Shop Sign: His shop sign was 'À Ste Cecille'.

Summary

Jean-Baptiste Deshayes SALOMON (1713-after 1767) was a prominent Parisian luthier and successful businessman who became Master of the violin makers' guild in 1760. Known for an extensive but inconsistent output, his instruments, particularly his violoncellos, are highly sought after despite varying quality. He crafted violins, violoncellos, Liebesgeigen, bass viols, and harps, often employing models reminiscent of Chappuy and Guersan, and using diverse varnishes. His work is preserved in notable collections, including the Paris Conservatoire.