Nicolas-Francois Vuillaume

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£78,765

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin	Two-piece back, varnish of a plum red colour on a golden ground, repaired sound post crack on the table	March 2025	£23,180
Violin	Sainte Cécile des Thernes model, labelled Ste Cécile des Thernes Paris 1846 n° 426, fair condition	December 2024	£20,710
Cello	Labelled N. F. Vuillaume, No. 284 Luthier du Conservatoire Royal de Musique, Rue de l'Eveque, No. ...	May 2024	£78,765
Violin		March 2012	£10,000
Viola	38.9 cm Brussels, 1835 [Lit.]	October 2009	£10,381
Violin	36.1 cm Brussels, 1861	July 2006	£5,040
Violin	Brussels, 1833	March 2005	£6,000
Cello	Brussels, 1864	February 2005	£26,400
Viola	39.9 cm Brussels, 1841	February 2005	£15,600
Viola	38.5 cm [Attributed to]	May 2004	£3,585
Violin	[Ascribed to]	May 2004	£2,091
Violin	1860	June 2002	£7,458
Violin	1836	December 2000	£2,345
Viola	39.7 cm 1863	October 1999	£3,267
Violin	18--	November 1997	£6,325
Violin	1862	November 1996	£10,350
Violin	1863	June 1996	£13,800
Violin	1870 c.	October 1995	£4,600
Cello	1846	November 1994	£40,000
Viola	39.4 cm 1870	June 1994	£2,760
Violin	1854	June 1994	£9,200
Violin	1842	November 1992	£3,740
Viola	39.4 cm 1868	June 1991	£8,800
Violin Bow	S/E 58 g.	November 1980	£242

Maker Overview

History

Nicolas-Francois Vuillaume (1802-1876) was born in Mirecourt, France, in 1802, specifically on May 13, according to Cecie Stainer. He was the fourth son and pupil of Claude François Vuillaume (IV), as noted by John Dilworth, or the third son according to Cecie Stainer and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff. He worked in Paris with his brother Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume until approximately 1828. Around 1828, he left Paris and established himself in Brussels, Belgium, initially at 11 rue Marnix, and later moving to 30 rue de l'Evêque. He was appointed luthier to the conservatoire. Nicolas-Francois Vuillaume died in Brussels, Belgium, in 1876, with Cecie Stainer specifying January 16, 1876, in Brabant.

Craft

Workmanship: His work was considered fine and very similar to that of his brother, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, with finished workmanship.
Models: He faithfully copied classical models, and made excellent violins after Stradivari, among others. A celebrated and exact copy he made was of the Stradivari 'Servais' 1701 cello, which was considered very fine.
Varnish: He used a red varnish, though its texture and clarity were described as less distinguished compared to his brother's.
Bows: He also made fine bows, characterized by dark-colored round sticks.
Branding: His bows were branded 'N.F.VUILLAUME'. Instruments were also labeled with 'N. F. Vuillaume, No 175 / Luthier du Conservatoire Royal de Musique / Rue de l'Evêque No 30 / NFV Bruxelles / l'an 18...'.

Influence

Mentorship: He was a pupil of his father, Claude François Vuillaume (IV).
Collaboration: He worked with his brother, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, in Paris until 1828.

Legacy

Awards: He was awarded medals and diplomas at various exhibitions, including the Brussels Exhibitions in 1835 (silver medal) and 1841 (silver medal), the London Exhibition in 1851 (medals of first class), the Paris Exhibition in 1855 (medals of first class), the Dublin Exhibition in 1867 (medals of first class), and the Vienna Exhibition in 1873 (medals of first class).
Honors: The Belgian government made him a Chevalier de l'Ordre de Léopold.
Appointments: He was appointed luthier to the conservatoire in Brussels.

Further Information

Addresses: In Brussels, he was first established at 11 rue Marnix, and later moved to 30 rue de l'Evêque.
Labels: His labels included 'N. F. Vuillaume, No 175 / Luthier du Conservatoire Royal de Musique / Rue de l'Evêque No 30 / NFV Bruxelles / l'an 18...'.

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Biographies

John Dilworth Cecie Stainer George Hart Willibald Leo Lütgendorff

John Dilworth

VUILLAUME, Nicolas-François Born 1802 Mirecourt France, died 1876 Brussels Belgium. Fourth son and pupil of Claude François Vuillaume (IV), above. Worked in Paris with his brother Jean-Baptiste, but left for Brussels c.1828. Established first at 11 rue Marnix. Later moved to 30 rue de l’Evêque. Appointed luthier to the conservatoire. Awarded medals and diplomas at the Brussels Exhibitions 1835 and 1841, London 1831, Paris 1855, Dublin 1867, and Vienna 1873. Made Chevalier de l’Ordre de Léopold by the Belgian government. Fine work, not unlike that of his brother Jean-Baptiste. Classical models faithfully copied, although red varnish of less distinguished texture and clarity. Celebrated copies of the Stradivari ‘Servais’ 1701 cello. Fine bows with dark coloured round sticks, branded: N.F.VUILLAUME N. F. Vuillaume, No 175 / Luthier du Conservatoire Royal de Musique / Rue de l’Evêque No 30 / NFV Bruxelles / l’an 1884