Charles Jacquot

History

Charles Jacquot (1804-1880) was born in Mirecourt in 1804 and died on March 29, 1880, at St. Maur-les-Fosses near Paris. Although his father was an army tailor, he was descended from a family of makers, with a lineage tracing back to a Charles Jacquot who lived in 1645. He was apprenticed to Nicolas ainé in 1819 and later to Breton. In 1823, he went to Nancy, where he worked as an assistant until 1827, when he established his own independent business. In 1852 he married the daughter of C. F. Vuillaume. He later relinquished his Nancy shop to his son, Pierre Charles Jacquot, and moved to Paris in 1853. In Paris, he initially worked at 34 rue des Vieux-Augustins, and from 1857, he was located at 48 rue de l'Echiquier, and shortly after at no. 42 in the same street.

Craft

• Workmanship: Work from his Nancy period was generally of average Mirecourt quality, but in Paris, he developed a more sophisticated style. His violins made in Paris are especially esteemed for their careful finish and regularity of form.
• Style: In Paris, he made copies of classical Italian work in the Vuillaume style.
• Varnish: His varnish was applied in appropriate shades for the various models, though sometimes a little exaggerated in tint.
• Expertise: He was also a connoisseur of old instruments.

Influence

• Apprenticeship: He was apprenticed to Nicolas ainé in 1819 and later to Breton.
• Family Connection: His marriage to the daughter of C. F. Vuillaume in 1852 connected him to the prominent Vuillaume family.

Legacy

• Awards: He received numerous awards at exhibitions, including a bronze medal in Nancy in 1838, a silver medal in Nancy in 1843, first and second prizes in Paris in 1849, a second-class medal in London in 1851, a silver medal in Paris in 1855, a gold medal in Bayonne in 1864, and a bronze medal in Paris in 1867.
• Family Continuity: His son, Pierre Charles Jacquot, took over his Nancy business in 1854.

Further Information

• Labels: His labels included "Médailles d'Or et d'Argent / Charles Jacquot J+C / 42, Rue de l'Echiquier à Paris" and "Médailles d'Or et d'Argent / C. Jacquot / Luthier/ 19 Rue de la Poissonnerie 19 / Nancy".
• Workshop Locations: He worked at 34 rue des Vieux-Augustins in Paris, and later at 48 rue de l'Echiquier and 42 rue de l'Echiquier in Paris. His Nancy workshop was located at 19 Rue de la Poissonnerie.

Summary

Charles Jacquot (1804-1880) was a significant French violin maker of the 19th century, born in Mirecourt. He apprenticed with Nicolas ainé and Breton before establishing his own business in Nancy in 1823. After marrying C. F. Vuillaume's daughter, he moved to Paris in 1853, leaving his Nancy shop to his son. In Paris, he developed a more sophisticated style, creating copies of classical Italian instruments and earning numerous awards at exhibitions for his highly esteemed work.