Amati > Makers Archive > B > Auguste Sebastien Philippe Bernardel

Auguste Sebastien Philippe Bernardel

Mirecourt, Paris, 1798–1870

Auguste Sebastien Philippe Bernardel was a highly influential French luthier of the 19th century, known as 'Bernardel Père'. He apprenticed in Mirecourt and with Nicolas Lupot in Paris, establishing his own workshop in 1826. His firm, later Bernardel et Fils, produced excellent instruments, particularly successful cellos and sought-after double basses, using the finest materials and often employing antiqued finishes. He received numerous medals at exhibitions in Paris and London and is considered a worthy inheritor of Lupot's tradition, though sources contain conflicting dates regarding his birth and when his sons joined the business.

Worked Mirecourt, Paris
Made Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin
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Violin, Workshop of Bernardel, France, circa 1870 — front
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Violin, Workshop of Bernardel, France, circa 1870. Sold by Amati. Measurements and detail photographs →

Instruments

Auction Price History

Highest auction price

£93,204

120 results

Type Details Auction house Sold Price
ViolinLabelled Fait pour l'exposition de Lorraine 1839, médaille de bronze à l'exposition de 1834, médaille ... Lot 89TarisioMarch 2026£33,000est. Estimate £ 25,000-40,000
ViolinLabelled Bernardel luthier eleve de Lupot, Rue croix des Petits Champs no 23, à Paris 1837 Lot 180—May 2025£18,393est. $ 25,000-40,000
ViolinA violin by Auguste Sébastien Philippe Bernardel, Paris, circa 1830 Lot 205AmatiMarch 2025£10,112est. £ 8,000-12,000
ViolinUnlabelled, inscribed to the inside Bernardel and Bernardel Luthier Rue Croix des Petits Champs No. ... Lot 87TarisioMarch 2025£27,140est. £ 25,000-40,000
ViolinLabelled Bernardel, Luthier Eleve de Lupot Rue Croix des Petits Champs No. 23 a Paris 1837 ... Lot 191TarisioNovember 2024£23,172est. $ 25,000-40,000
ViolinLabelled Medaille d'or et d'argent, aux expositions de 1844 et 1849, Bernardel luthier élève de Lupot ... Lot 158TarisioOctober 2024£18,058est. € 20.000-30.000
ViolinLabelled Bernardel luthier eleve de Lupot, Rue croix des Petits Champs no 23, à Paris 1831 Lot 83TarisioOctober 2024£15,600est. £ 10,000-15,000
ViolinLabelled (Bernardel Elève de) Lupot et Gand, rue des vieux Augustins 12° 8. à Paris, l'an 1828 Lot 155Ingles & H.March 2024£36,000est. £ 22,000-28,000
ViolinLabelled Bernardel, Luthier, ex-Ouvrier des Srs. Lupot et Gand, rue des vieux augustins no. 25, à ... Lot 35Ingles & H.March 2024£9,600est. £ 8,000-12,000
ViolinLabelled Bernardel, Luthier Elève de Lupot, Rue Croix des Petits Champs, No. 23, à Paris - 1832 Lot 63Ingles & H.October 2023£26,400est. £ 20,000-30,000
ViolinBearing the maker's label and signature, two table cracks, minor lower rib cracks Lot 221—June 2023£30,990est. € 25.000-30.000
ViolinFearured in The Strad, December 2005, pp. 72-73; inscribed Bernardel Luthier, Rue Croix des Petits ... Lot 17Ingles & HaydayMarch 2023£36,000est. £ 12,000-18,000
ViolinGuarneri del Gesù model, bearing the maker's label and signature, minor table sound post restoration Lot 270—December 2022£27,850est. € 28.000-30.000
ViolinBearing the maker's label and signatures, good condition Lot 315—December 2022£27,850est. € 22.000-25.000
CelloMaggini model, many ribs and table restorations includind bass bar crack, back edges near the neck worn Lot 110—June 2022£52,830est. € 40.000-45.000
ViolinBearing the maker's label and signatures, table worm Lot 73—June 2022£11,623est. € 8.000-10.000
ViolinBearing the maker's label and signature, good condition Lot 160—June 2021£25,653est. € 20.000-25.000
ViolinLabelled with Médaille d'Or et d'Argent aux Expositions de 1844 et 1849 Bernardel, Luthier, Elève de ... Lot 191—June 2021£20,400est. £ 6,000-8,000
ViolaUnlabelled Lot 101—March 2021£14,400est. £ 12,000-18,000
ViolinBearing the maker's label and signature to the back, table sound post and bass bar cracks Lot 206—December 2020£16,800est. € 15.000-20.000
ViolinLabelled Medaille d'or et d'argent, aux expositions de 1844 et 1849, Bernardel luthier elève de Lupot ... Lot 149—October 2020£20,400est. £ 20,000-30,000
ViolinLabelled Bernardel, Luthier, Elève de Lupot, Rue Croix des Petits Champs, No. 23, à Paris. 1837 Lot 192—October 2020£22,800est. £ 20,000-30,000
ViolinLabelled Renaudin, later head and some ribs, many restorations, table varnish retouched Lot 2101—September 2020£7,163
Cello Lot 107—March 2020£74,241est. KRW 90-250m.
ViolinBearing the original label dated 1862, signed internally Bernardel, excellent state of preservation Lot 300—March 2020£22,800est. £ 20,000-25,000
CelloLabelled Bernardel Luthier Eleve de Lupot, Rue Croix des Petits Champs. No 23., À Paris 1831 Lot 28—February 2020£88,039est. $ 80,000-120,000
ViolinLabelled Medaille de Bronze à l'Exposition de 1834. Bernardel luthier Elève de Lupot, rue ..., head later Lot 178—October 2019£16,800est. £ 12,000-18,000
ViolinBearing the original label Medaille obtenue a l'Exposition de 1834, Bernardel ..., very fine condition Lot 53—October 2019£28,800est. £ 25,000-35,000
ViolinGuarneri del Gesù model, labelled Guarneri, signed Bernardel to the back, restored table sound post crack Lot 210—June 2019£25,508est. € 20.000-25.000
ViolinLabelled Joseph Guarnerius 1738, manuscript signature, two-piece back of regular curl, good condition Lot 19—May 2019£18,357est. € 15.000-18.000
ViolinLabelled Bernardel luthier eleve de Lupot, Rue croix des Petits Champs no 23, a Paris 1841 Lot 213—March 2019£36,000est. £ 20,000-30,000
CelloLabelled Bernardel Luthier Elève de Lupot, Rue Croix des Petits Champs No. 23 à Paris 1830 Lot 83—March 2019£66,000est. £ 60,000-80,000
ViolinInscribed in the upper back Bern... ... Paris 1837 Lot 148—October 2018£16,800est. £ 14,000-18,000
ViolinLabelled Fait pour l'exposition de l'année 1839, médaille de Bronze à l'exposition de 1834, médaille ... Lot 165—June 2018£45,000est. £ 20,000-30,000
ViolinBearing the maker's label and signature, table crack Lot 60—June 2018£34,702est. € 15.000-20.000
ViolinLabelled with signature Médaille d'or et d'argent aux Expositions de 1844 et 1849 Bernardel, Luthier ... Lot 103—March 2018£20,400est. £ 18,000-25,000
ViolinLabelled Médaille d'or et argent, aux expositions de 1844 et 1849, Bernardel luthier elève de Lupot ... Lot 148—March 2018£5,700est. £ 7,000-10,000
ViolinLabelled Gio: Paolo Maggini in Brescia. anno 1570, one small crack in ribs, minor repairs to scroll Lot 223—March 2018£5,310est. £ 5,000-8,000
CelloBack sound post crack with patch, many table cracks, varnish blemish Lot 244—December 2017£7,860est. € 10.000-12.000
CelloTable sound post crack, table cracks, ribs crack, back sound post crack Lot 249—December 2017£17,966est. € 13.000-15.000
ViolinBearing the maker's signature, table edges restored, many restorations, table sound post crack, back worm Lot 124—November 2017£26,400est. € 17.000-20.000
ViolinBearing the maker's signature to the back, some table restorations, table sound post crack, table worm Lot 272—November 2017£8,448est. € 6.000-8.000
ViolinGiovanni Paolo Maggini model, many table restorations, double purfling, in need of restoration Lot 94—June 2017£4,272est. € 6.000-8.000
ViolinLabelled Médaille de bronze a l'exposition de 1834, médaille d'argent de l'academie de l'industrie 1837 ... Lot 170—March 2017£21,600est. £ 10,000-15,000
CelloLabelled Bernardel, Luthier, Elève de Lupot, Rue Croix des Petits Champs, 21 & 23, à Paris 1860 Lot 60—February 2017£28,868est. $ 30,000-50,000
CelloBearing the maker's label and signature internally, minor table sound post crack, minor restorations Lot 155—December 2016£79,204est. € 60.000-80.000
ViolinMaggini model, bearing the maker's signature to the back, labelled Maggini Lot 252—December 2016£4,671est. € 5.000-7.000
ViolinBearing the maker's label, inscribed Réparé par ..., many table restorations, table sound post restoration Lot 455—December 2016£14,216est. € 15.000-20.000
ViolinLabelled Medaille d'or et d'argent, aux exposition de 1844 et 1849, Bernardel luthier eleve de Lupot ... Lot 180—October 2016£25,200est. £ 15,000-22,000
ViolinAfter Maggini, inscribed internally Bernardel 1829, further inscribed Bernardel, 27 Rue Croix des ... Lot 161—March 2016£12,000est. £ 10,000-15,000
ViolinBearing the maker's signature to the back, some restorations, table sound post crack, back worm Lot 210—December 2015£14,482est. € 12.000-15.000
ViolaBearing the maker's label and signature, table sound post crack Lot 160—June 2015£7,007est. € 10.000-12.000
ViolinLabelled G... Paolo Magini, Fecit Brixiae 16..., signed to back Bernardel Lot 173—March 2015£4,800est. £ 5,000-8,000
CelloLabelled Medaille obtenu a l'Exposition de 1834, Bernardel, Luthier, Elève de Lupot, Rue Croix de ... Lot 98—March 2015£70,664est. £ 65,000-80,000
ViolinBearing the maker's label and signature to the back, table sound post crack Lot 175—December 2014£21,660est. € 20.000-25.000
CelloUnlabelled Lot 63—October 2014£52,800est. £ 45,000-60,000
ViolinLabelled Médaille d'or et d'Argent aux Expositions de 1844 et 1849, Bernardel, Luthier Eléve de Lupot ... Lot 160—June 2014£21,240est. £ 15,000-22,000
ViolinMade for the Universal Exposition, bearing the maker's label and signature internally, good condition Lot 168—December 2013£27,871est. € 28.000-30.000
ViolaMade for the Universal Exposition, bearing the maker's label and signature, table crack Lot 357—December 2013£5,972est. € 4.000-5.000
ViolinBearing a facsimile label Bernardel luthier elève de Lupot rue Croix des Petits Champs, No 33 à Paris ... Lot 138—May 2013£12,000est. £ 10,000-15,000
ViolinLabelled Nicolaus Lupot Luthier rue Croix des petits-Champs, à Paris, l'an 1818, inscribed Rue Croix ... Lot 213—November 2012£24,967est. $ 26,000-35,000
Small VioloncelloLabelled Medailles D'Argent 1837 et 1844, Bernardel, Luthier Eleve du Lupot, Rue Croix des Petits ... Lot 153—June 2012£4,560est. £ 4,000-6,000
CelloLabelled Bernardel, Luthier, Elève de Lupot, Rue Croix des Petits Champs No. 23 à Paris 184... Lot 68Sotheby’sMarch 2012£49,250est. £ 35,000-50,000
Cello75.7 cm Paris, 1846—December 2011£68,691
CelloParis, 1833—December 2011£26,420
Violin35.9 cm Paris, 1849—December 2011£25,363
Violin36.2 cm Paris, 1843—June 2011£20,941
Violin35.9 cm Paris, 1866—March 2011£21,250
Cello75.9 cm Paris, 1855—December 2010£93,204
Violin36.0 cm Paris, 1846—October 2010£25,200
Violin36.2 cm Paris, 1836 c.—April 2010£10,998
Violin35.7 cm Paris, 1861—March 2010£18,750
Cello75.7 cm Paris, 1861—October 2009£79,250
Cello76.0 cm Paris, 1862—June 2009£50,821
Violin35.7 cm Paris, 1844—December 2008£24,572
Violin35.7 cm Paris, 1836 c. Attributed to & possibly by—May 2008£13,171
Violin35.1 cm Paris, 1828—March 2008£12,500
Violin35.5 cm Paris, 1845, after "Guarneri"—March 2008£18,500
Cello75.3 cm Paris, 1841 With Provenance—October 2007£60,500
Viola38.7 cm Paris, 1837—October 2007£12,500
Violin36.0 cm France, 19th C. Attributed to—October 2007£6,875
Violin36.3 cm Paris, 1858—March 2007£8,625
Cello75.3 cm Paris, 1833—February 2007£50,400
Violin36.0 cm Paris, 1845 c.—December 2006£9,587
Violin35.9 cm Paris, 1840,—June 2006£25,092
ViolinParis, 1850—November 2005£13,200
ViolinParis—June 2005£1,610
ViolinParis, 1865—May 2005£18,567
ViolinParis, 1849 'Maggini' model—December 2004£2,930
CelloFauldhouse, 1926—March 2004£50,400
ViolinParis, 1850 c. Probably by—March 2004£9,000
Violin1828—November 2003£10,340
Cello1859—June 2003£30,965
Cello1849—May 2003£19,094
Violin1855—December 2002£15,134
Violin1829—November 2002£6,815
Bass1841—December 2001£6,147
Violin1850—June 2001£21,606
Violin1855—June 2001£15,035
Cello1835—May 2001£21,364
Violin1897—November 2000£15,400
Violin1825 c.—November 2000£4,648
Violin1901—October 2000£9,664
Violin1836—June 2000£15,884
Violin1864—March 2000£20,700
Violin1900 c.—November 1999£2,626
Cello1849—November 1998£36,700
Violin1923—June 1998£1,289
Violin1827—May 1998£11,994
Violin1834—November 1997£13,225
Violin1894—June 1996£1,610
Violin1835—March 1996£14,950
Violin1850 c.—November 1995£16,100
Violin1830—June 1993£15,400
Violin1849—March 1992£6,050
Violin1834—April 1991£9,900
Violin1839—March 1991£6,050
Violin1836—November 1990£4,180
Cello1849—March 1989£35,200
Cello18--—November 1982£2,090

Maker Overview

Life

Auguste Sebastien Philippe Bernardel (1798-1870) was born in Mirecourt in 1798 and died in Bougival, France, in 1870. Cecie Stainer, however, states his birth year as January 12, 1802, and his death date as August 6, 1870. He was known as 'Bernardel Père'. He apprenticed in Mirecourt before joining Lupot in Paris around 1815, remaining there until 1824. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff and Cecie Stainer state he came to Paris in 1820. He briefly worked with Gand before opening his own shop in the capital in 1826 in the rue Coquillière. He later moved to rue Croix des Petits Champs, where Vuillaume was already established. Sources contain conflicting information regarding when his sons joined the firm: Dilworth states his sons Ernest (in 1840) and Gustave (around 1849) joined him, leading the firm to become known as Bernardel et Fils. Lütgendorff and Stainer, however, indicate he took his two sons into partnership in 1859, with Lütgendorff naming them Ernst August and Gustave Adolf. He retired in 1866 to Bougival, a town popular with the Impressionist painters at that time. Stainer notes that he retired to facilitate the association of the Gands in his business, which was then styled "Gand et Bernardel." He is considered one of the most important and influential French makers, eclipsed only by his teacher, Lupot, and his almost exact contemporary J. B. Vuillaume.


Characteristics

Models
He used Stradivari, Guarneri, and Brescian models. A violin copied from Maggini was exhibited in London in 1855.
Materials
His materials were always of the very finest quality. Lütgendorff notes he was a thorough connoisseur of wood, which he selected with the greatest care.
Varnish
His varnish is generally inferior to Vuillaume's and can be a slightly crude red color.
Execution
His violins by comparison seem a little heavy in execution.
Specific Instruments
Cellos modeled on the Stradivari 'Duport' cello are particularly successful, and his double basses are highly sought-after. Stainer notes his violoncellos especially had a remarkably fine tone. Lütgendorff mentions that on the London Exhibition 1851, his work was compared to Forster's, though his cello was said to have a nasal tone, but he surpassed all English masters in tone beauty.
Technique
He was a pioneer of 'antiqued' copies of individual classical instruments with artificially shaded varnish, along with Vuillaume and Betts in England.
Recorded labels
  • Bernardel, luthier
    ex-ouvrier du Lupot
    rue Coquillière, No. 44 à Paris
    l’an 1826John Dilworth
  • Bernardel, Luthier Élève de Lupot
    Aux Croix des Petits Champs No. 23
    à Paris 1835John Dilworth
  • Medaille d’or et d’argent
    aux Expositions de 1844 et 1849
    Bernardel, Luthier Élève de Lupot
    rue Croix des Petits Champs, 21.
    à Paris. 1855John Dilworth

Influence and legacy

  • Teacher: He was a pupil of Lupot.
  • Tradition: He was a worthy inheritor of Lupot's tradition and craftsmanship.
  • Colleagues: He briefly worked with C. F. Gand.
  • Awards: He received a mention in 1827; bronze medals in Paris in 1834 and 1839; a silver medal in Paris in 1844 for an alto; a gold medal in Paris in 1849; a medal of the 2nd class in London in 1851; and a medal of the 1st class in London in 1855 for a violin copied from Maggini, a bass, and a double-bass.
  • Firm Continuity: The firm became known as Bernardel et Fils when his sons joined. After his retirement, the business was styled "Gand et Bernardel" to facilitate the association of the Gands.

Further Information

  • Addresses: His workshops were located at rue Coquillière, No. 44; rue Croix des Petits Champs, No. 23; and rue Croix des Petits Champs, 21 in Paris.
  • Labels: Examples of his labels include "Bernardel, luthier / ex-ouvrier du Lupot / rue Coquillière, No. 44 à Paris / l’an 1826"; "Bernardel, Luthier Élève de Lupot / Aux Croix des Petits Champs No. 23 / à Paris 1835"; and "Medaille d’or et d’argent / aux Expositions de 1844 et 1849 / Bernardel, Luthier Élève de Lupot / rue Croix des Petits Champs, 21. / à Paris. 1855." A printed label also read: "Medaille d'or et d'argent aux expositions de 1844 et 1849. Bernardel, luthier, eleve de Lupot, rue Croix-des-Petits Champs, 21, a Paris, 18— . . . (Signed) Bernardel."

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Biographies

The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

John Dilworth+

BERNARDEL, Auguste Sebastien Philippe Born 1798 Mirecourt, died 1870 Bougival France. Known as ‘Bernardel Père’. Apprenticed in Mirecourt before joining Lupot in Paris c.1815. Remained there until 1824; briefly worked with Gand before opening his own shop in the capital in 1826 in the rue Coquillière. Later moved to rue Croix des Petits Champs, where Vuillaume was already established. Joined by his sons Ernest (in 1840) and Gustave (c.1849), the firm became known as Bernardel et Fils. Retired in 1866 to Bougival, a town popular with the Impressionist painters at that time. One of the most important and influential French makers, eclipsed only by his teacher, Lupot, and his almost exact contemporary, J. B. Vuillaume. Worthy inheritor of Lupot’s tradition and craftsmanship, and along with Vuillaume and Betts in England, a pioneer of ‘antiqued’ copies of individual classical instruments with artificially shaded varnish. His varnish is generally inferior to Vuillaume’s, and can be a slightly crude red colour, and his violins by comparison seem a little heavy in execution. Materials always of the very finest quality. Stradivari, Guarneri and Brescian models. Cellos modelled on the Stradivari ‘Duport’ cello are particularly successful, and double basses highly sought-after. Bernardel, luthier / ex-ouvrier du Lupot / rue Coquillière, No. 44 à Paris / l’an 1826 Bernardel, Luthier Élève de Lupot / Aux Croix des Petits Champs No. 23 / à Paris 1835 Medaille d’or et d’argent / aux Expositions de 1844 et 1849 / Bernardel, Luthier Élève de Lupot / rue Croix des Petits Champs, 21. / à Paris. 1855

Cecie Stainer+

b. Jan. 12, 1802, at Mirecourt; d. August 6, 1870, at Bougival. One of the most distinguished French makers. He began as an apprentice in Mirecourt, went to Paris in 1820, worked first under Nicolas Lupot and then under C. F. Gand, whom he left in 1826 in order to start a business of his own in the rue Coquilliere.
In 1859 he took his two sons into partnership and the firm was called ‘ Bernardel et fils’ ; he retired in 1866 so as to facilitate the association of the Gands in his business, which was then styled ” Gand et Bernardel.” He made a large number of excellent instruments, the violoncellos especially having a remarkably fine tone.
This was in a violin made by him soon after he left Gand, perhaps the first to contain his signature; it is beautifully finished and has a fine tone.
Printed label: ” Medaille d’or et d’argent aux expositions de 1844 et 1849. Bernardel, luthier, eleve de Lupot, rue Croix-des-Petits Champs, 21, a Paris, 18— . . . (Signed) Bernardel.”
Honours : mention, 1827 ; bronze medal, Paris, 1834 and 1839; silver medal, Paris, 1844, for an alto placed in the 1st class; gold medal, Paris, 1849; a medal of the 2nd class, London, 1851; and a medal of the 1st class, London, 1855, for a violin copied from Maggini, a bass, and a double-bass.

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Nachdem er in seiner Heimath ausgelernt hatte, kam er 1820 nach Paris
und trat bei N. Lupot und später bei Gand père als Gehilfe ein. Er gründete
1826 sein Geschäft in der Rue Coquillière No. 44 und arbeitete bis 1859 allein.
Dann nahm er seine beiden Söhne als Theilhaber der Firma auf und arbeitete aber noch bis 1866 fleissig weiter. Einer der geschicktesten französischen
Geigenmacher des 19. Jahrhunderts und gründlicher Kenner des Holzes, das er mit
grösster Sorgfalt auswählte. Auf der Londoner Ausstellung 1851 stellte man
seine Arbeit den Forster’schen gleich, wenn auch sein Cello einen näselnden
Ton gehabt haben soll, aber es unterliegt keinem Zweifel, dass er gerade, was
Tonschönheit anbelangt, alle englischen Meister übertraf. 1859 verband er sich,
wie schon bemerkt, mit seinen Söhnen Ernst August und Gustave Adolf zu der
Firma »Bernadel et fils« und zog sich 1866 vom Geschäft zurück.

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