Georges (I) Chanot

History

Georges (I) Chanot (1801-1883) was born in Mirecourt in 1801, the son and pupil of Joseph Chanot. He moved to Paris in 1819, initially involved in making guitar-shaped violins with his elder brother, François. He subsequently worked for Lété, Clement, and Gand. Sources contain conflicting information regarding his death; John Dilworth states he died in Paris in 1883, while Cecie Stainer notes his death on January 10, 1883, in Courcelles, near Gif (Seine et Oise). Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also states he retired to Courcelles in 1872.

Chanot established his own shop at 3 Place des Victoires in 1823, having previously worked from addresses such as rue de la Vrillière and 15 rue Passage Choiseul. He moved to 26 rue de Rivoli in 1837. Between 1839 and 1845, he traveled extensively throughout Europe, building his reputation as an expert dealer and a maker of fine copies of classical instruments. He returned to Paris, moving to 1 Quai Malaquais in 1847, where he was active until 1871. He retired from business in 1872 to Courcelles, though he continued to engage in violin making for pleasure.

In his early life, he was assisted by his first wife, Florentine, who suffered from a debilitating illness from 1840 onward and died young. Sources contain conflicting information regarding her death date; Lütgendorff states she died in 1858. Florentine was also a violin maker and his pupil, exhibiting an excellent violin she built in 1827. Georges and Florentine had two sons, Adolphe (1826-1854) and Georges (II) (1831-1893), both of whom became violin makers. Georges (I) subsequently had a son, Marie-Joseph (born 1843), with Antoinette Chardon. Marie-Joseph, known as Joseph Chardon, became his father's deputy, running the shop in his absence and continuing the family business as Chanot et Chardon after Georges's retirement. Stainer notes he was married twice, the second time in 1859, and Lütgendorff specifies he married his sister-in-law, who also became a useful assistant.

Craft

• Workmanship: Georges Chanot's instruments were closely modeled on classical Cremonese and Brescian makers, demonstrating the most exact workmanship and finish.
• Materials: Materials used were invariably of the highest quality, with the wood being excellent.
• Models: His new instruments are beautifully made and have a fine tone, chiefly copies of Stradivari and Guarneri. The Stradivari copies are considered the best.
• Expertise: He made a careful study of old Italian instruments and was excellent at repairing or modifying them. He was a thinking artist and a profound connoisseur of Italian instruments, which he diligently studied and imitated.
• Aesthetics & Tone: The work, wood, and varnish are impeccable, and the tone is very noble.
• Innovation & Tradition: He made many attempts to refine the tone of new instruments but eventually rejected anything that deviated from the proven achievements of the Cremonese masters.

Influence

• Parentage & Training: He was the son and pupil of Joseph Chanot.
• Mentorship: He worked under Clement and was employed by Gand.
• Family Influence: He received valuable inspiration from his elder brother, François Chanot.
• Pupils: His first wife, Florentine, was his pupil and a violin maker.

Legacy

• Awards: Georges (I) Chanot was awarded a Mention honorable in 1827, silver medals in 1839, 1844, and 1849 (of the second class), and again in 1855.
• Family Continuity: His sons, Adolphe and Georges (II), also became violin makers. Georges (II) moved to London in 1851 and gained a strong reputation for his own Cremonese copies.
• Business Succession: His son Marie-Joseph, known as Joseph Chardon, continued the family business as Chanot et Chardon after Georges (I) retired.
• Reputation: He was one of the most brilliant representatives of the 19th-century French school.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: Georges (I) Chanot worked from various addresses in Paris, including rue de la Vrillière, 15 rue Passage Choiseul, 3 Place des Victoires (established 1823), 26 rue de Rivoli (from 1837), and 1 Quai Malaquais (from 1847). Other mentioned locations include rue Oblin près de la Halle auble, Place des Victoires (1825-28), Passage Choiseul (1828-37), and rue de Rivoli (1837-48).
• Travels: Between 1839 and 1845, he traveled extensively throughout Europe. He also made repeated major journeys through Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, and Russia to acquire old violins.
• Labels: Examples of his labels include "Chanot Jeune à Paris / rue de la Vrillière 1820," "Chanot jeune rue Passage / Choiseul No.15 à Paris 1825," and "Georges Chanot, à Paris / Quai Malaquais Année 18…"

Summary

Georges (I) Chanot (1801-1883) was a prominent French violin maker and dealer, born in Mirecourt and active primarily in Paris. Son and pupil of Joseph Chanot, he established his own workshop in 1823 after working for notable makers like Lété, Clement, and Gand. Renowned for his meticulous copies of classical Cremonese and Brescian instruments, particularly Stradivari and Guarneri, his work was characterized by exact workmanship, high-quality materials, and noble tone. He was also an expert dealer, traveling extensively across Europe to acquire old instruments. His first wife, Florentine, was also a violin maker and his pupil. His sons, Adolphe and Georges (II), continued the family's lutherie tradition, with Georges (II) gaining fame in London. His third son, Marie-Joseph (Joseph Chardon), took over the family business, Chanot et Chardon, upon Georges (I)'s retirement in 1872. Chanot received several awards, including silver medals, solidifying his reputation as one of the most brilliant representatives of the 19th-century French school.