Georges Cunault
Paris, Villemomble, 1856–1941
Georges Cunault (1856-1941) was a Parisian luthier known for his fine quality violins, often of large size, featuring a shaded red-brown varnish. He trained with Sebastien Vuillaume and Miremont, and later established his own workshop in Paris, relocating several times before moving to Villemomble in 1915. Cunault copied various master models and also developed his own design characterized by great fullness. He received a 'Mention honorable' at the Paris Exhibition in 1878.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
33 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Violin | Labelled Georges Cunault luthier 19 Rue de Navarin, Paris - An 1904, signed to the label, branded Lot 133 | Tarisio | November 2025 | £3,682est. $ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Georges Cunault, Luthier, 21 Rue de Navarin, Paris. - An 1915, address corrected Villemomble Lot 134 | Tarisio | November 2025 | £2,263est. $ 5,000-8,000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label and brands to the table and upper block Lot 15 | Vichy | June 2025 | £9,470est. € 6.000-8.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Georges Cunault, Luthier, 21 Rue de Navarin, Paris. - An 1915, address corrected Villemomble Lot 126 | Tarisio | January 2024 | £4,932est. € 5.000-8.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Mention honorable ex. 1878, Georges Cunault, luthier à Paris 1888, 29 rue des Martyrs, signed Lot 21 | Tarisio | October 2022 | £4,720est. £ 5,000-8,000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label and signature Lot 265 | Vichy | June 2021 | £3,527est. € 4.000-6.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Georges Cunault, Luthier, 21 Rue de Navarin, Paris. - An 19... Villemomble ..., branded Lot 128 | Tarisio | May 2018 | £7,962est. $ 10,000-15,000 |
| Violin | Bernard Millant collection, bearing the maker's label Lot 59 | Vichy | November 2017 | £5,808est. € 5.000-6.000 |
| Violin | Unlabelled, bearing the maker's brand on the bass bar Lot 384 | Skinners | November 2013 | £2,410est. $ 3,000-5,000 |
| Violin | Maggini model Lot 159 | Vichy | June 2012 | £1,359est. € 1.200-1.500 |
| Violin | Violin, 1890-95 c. Lot 304 | Artcurial | April 2012 | £2,079est. € 2.000-3.000 |
| Violin | 35.1 cm Paris, 1910 | — | January 2011 | £8,454 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1900 c. | — | January 2011 | £1,420 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Villemonble, 1920 | — | January 2010 | £10,356 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1900 c. (broken heel) | — | January 2009 | £3,111 |
| Cello | 76.0 cm Paris, 1912 | — | January 2008 | £22,282 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Villemomble, 1924 | — | January 2008 | £3,899 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1900 | — | January 2008 | £4,364 |
| Cello | 76.0 cm Villemomble, 1918 | — | January 2007 | £26,378 |
| Viola | 40.2 cm Paris, 1883 | — | January 2007 | £5,611 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Paris, 1900 | — | January 2006 | £1,598 |
| Violin | 1917 | — | January 2003 | £5,888 |
| Violin | 34.4 cm 1904 | — | January 2001 | £1,891 |
| Violin | 1900 | — | January 1999 | £6,374 |
| Violin | 1899 | — | January 1997 | £6,900 |
| Violin | 1892 | — | January 1996 | £1,115 |
| Violin | 1912 | — | January 1995 | £3,680 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | January 1994 | £4,025 |
| Cello | 1901 | — | January 1994 | £13,800 |
| Violin | 1914 | — | January 1992 | £1,582 |
| Violin | 1915 | — | January 1986 | £3,300 |
| Violin | 1893 | — | January 1986 | £935 |
| Violin | 1893 | — | January 1984 | £330 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Georges Cunault (1856-1941) was born in Paris in 1856 and passed away in Villemomble, France, in 1941. Sources contain conflicting information regarding the exact dates of his early career. worked for Sebastien Vuillaume and Miremont from 1874 to 1882. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that he was a student of Sebastien Vuillaume from 1872 to 1873 and of Miremont from 1873 to 1880. Cecie Stainer corroborates that he worked with Miremont from 1874 to 1882. From 1880 to 1882, he worked from his apartment for various masters, including E. Germain. He established his own workshop in 1880, though his first public workshop opened in 1882 at 53 Faubourg Poissonnière. He subsequently relocated his workshop to several addresses in Paris: 29 rue des Martyrs in 1884, 6 rue Clauzel in 1889, and then to the Rue de Navarin. Sources differ on the initial Rue de Navarin address, with Dilworth listing 31 rue Navarin in 1893 and Lütgendorff listing 21 rue de Navarin in 1893, before finally settling at 19 rue Navarin. In 1915, Cunault relocated his operations to Villemomble.
Characteristics
- Quality
- His violins are often of large size but are noted for their very fine quality. Cecie Stainer further notes that his instruments demonstrate experience and careful work.
- Models
- Georges Cunault copied all the great masters and also possessed a self-designed model, which was characterized by its great fullness. John Dilworth specifically mentions his use of a Stradivari model.
- Varnish
- His instruments typically feature a shaded red-brown varnish.
- G. C. Georges Cunault
Luthier
Rue Clauzel 6. Paris
An 1893John Dilworth - G. C. Georges Cunault
Luthier
21 Rue de Navarin. Paris – An 1908.John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Georges Cunault was a student of Sebastien Vuillaume from 1872 to 1873 and worked with Miremont from 1873 to 1880. John Dilworth and Cecie Stainer state he worked for Sebastien Vuillaume and Miremont from 1874 to 1882.
- Collaborations: From 1880 to 1882, while working from his apartment, he also worked for other masters such as E. Germain.
- Awards: Georges Cunault received a 'Mention honorable' at the Paris Exhibition in 1878, where he was recognized as a collaborateur.
Further Information
- Workshop Locations: Georges Cunault's workshop occupied several addresses in Paris, including 53 Faubourg Poissonnière (from 1882), 29 rue des Martyrs (from 1884), 6 rue Clauzel (from 1889), and various locations on Rue de Navarin, specifically 31 rue Navarin (1893, per Dilworth), 21 rue de Navarin (1893, per Lütgendorff), and finally 19 rue Navarin. He relocated to Villemomble in 1915.
- Labels: Examples of his labels include "G. C. Georges Cunault / Luthier / Rue Clauzel 6. Paris / An 1893" and "G. C. Georges Cunault / Luthier / 21 Rue de Navarin. Paris - An 1908."
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
CUNAULT, Georges Born 1856 Paris, died 1941 Villemomble France. Worked for Sebastien Vuillaume and Miremont 1874-1882. ‘Mention honorable’ at Paris Exhibition 1878. Own workshop established 1880 but occupied several addresses: 53 Faubourg Poissonière, 1882, 29 rue des Martyrs 1884, 6 rue Clauzet 1889, 31 rue Navarin 1893, and finally 19 rue Navarin. Relocated to Villemomble 1915. Violins often of large size but very fine quality. Stradivari model with shaded red-brown varnish. G. C. Georges Cunault / Luthier / Rue Clauzel 6. Paris / An 1893. G. C. Georges Cunault / Luthier / 21 Rue de Navarin. Paris – An 1908.
Cecie Stainer+
b. 1856, Paris ; was apprenticed there, and worked with Miremont, 1874-82; obtaining, at the Paris Exhibition, 1878, a ” Mention honorable” as collaborateur. 1882, started his own workshop, first at 53, Faubourg Poissonniere, then at 6, rue Clauzel. He is a clever maker and his instruments show experience and careful work.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Von 1872-1873 Schüler von Seb. Vuillaume und von 1873—1880 von
Miremont. Von 1880—1882 arbeitete er in seiner Wohnung für verschiedene
Meister, so für E. Germain etc. und eröffnete 1882 seine eigene Werkstatt
Faubourg Poissonnière 53, die er 1884 nach der Rue des Martyrs 29 und 1889
nach der Rue Clauzel 6 und 1893 nach der Rue de Navarin 21 und zuletzt in
derselben Strasse nach No. 19 verlegte. Er copirt alle grossen Meister und besitzt
auch ein von ihm selbst entworfenes Modell, bei welchem er die grösste Fülle und
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