Joseph Bassot

History

Joseph Bassot (1740-c.1808) was a violin maker born in Mirecourt in 1740, who later established himself in Paris from 1774, according to John Dilworth. He was active in Paris about 1780 to 1802, residing at the Quinze-Vingt in 1783, and then at rue Chabanais from 1788, as noted by Cecie Stainer. John Dilworth specifies his address as 1 rue Chabanais from 1788. He passed away around 1808 in Paris, France.

Craft

• Workmanship: According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, his violins show such variation in workmanship, wood choice, varnish, and model that it suggests he may have affixed his labels to instruments made by others.
• Early Period: Cecie Stainer notes that his earlier instruments, featuring yellow varnish, were not as well made. John Dilworth describes his early instruments as being in an undistinguished Mirecourtian style with yellow varnish. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff adds that during his initial period, while residing at Quinze Vingts, he used poor wood and a bad yellow varnish, though the purfling, often made of fishbone, was clean.
• Mature Work: John Dilworth states that his mature work was in the Lupot-Stradivari manner, though it lacked finesse. He crafted beautiful violins, cellos, and violas.
• Varnish: Cecie Stainer mentions his use of brown varnish, sometimes tinged with red. John Dilworth describes a fine amber red-brown varnish. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that he later used a better, mostly red varnish.
• Scroll: John Dilworth highlights a delicately fashioned scroll.
• Progression: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff observes that he made noticeable progress over time, becoming more careful in his wood selection, working more precisely, and applying a better varnish. His best violins are considered usable orchestral instruments.

Legacy

• Posthumous Labels: John Dilworth states that instruments extant with labels dated after 1808 are the product of commercial workshops that acquired and used a stock of his labels after his death.

Further Information

• Addresses: He was located at the Quinze-Vingt in 1783, and at rue Chabanais from 1788, specifically 1 rue Chabanais.
• Label: An example label reads "Joseph Bassot. Luthier, / à Paris, 17..".

Summary

Joseph Bassot (1740-c.1808) was a Parisian violin maker originally from Mirecourt, active from around 1774. He operated from the Quinze-Vingt and later at 1 rue Chabanais. His early work featured yellow varnish and an undistinguished Mirecourtian style, but his mature instruments, including violins, cellos, and violas, adopted a Lupot-Stradivari manner with a fine amber red-brown varnish and delicately fashioned scrolls. Sources note a progression in his craftsmanship, though some suggest he may have used his labels on instruments made by others due to varying quality. Instruments bearing his label dated after 1808 are considered products of commercial workshops.