Amati > Makers Archive > F > Emile Marcel Francais

Emile Marcel Francais

Paris, 1894–1984

Violin and bow maker. Son and pupil of Henri Français, below. Worked for Penzel in Markneukirchen and for Lyon & Healy in Chicago 1912-1914. Established in Paris from 1938 at the address formerly belonging to Lupot. Appointed repairer to the Paris Conservatoire. — John Dilworth

Worked Paris
Made Cello Bow, Viola, Violin, Violin Bow
Taught by Henri Français
Family Son of Henri Français

Auction Price History

Highest auction price

£70,681

27 results

Type Details Auction house Sold Price
ViolinLabelled Fait par ..., two-piece back, varnish of a red brown colour on a golden ground, original bridge Lot 24Millon & A.May 2024£4,595est. € 4.500-6.000
Labelled Emile Français, Luthier du Conservatoire National de Musique, Paris, inscribed No 15 ... Lot 319March 2023£7,800est. £ 8,000-12,000
Stradivari 1733 Prince Khevenhüller copy, labelled Réplique faite pour Yehudi Menuhin de son ... Lot 152November 2022£70,681est. $ 20,000-30,000
Bearing the maker's label n. 57 and brands, craquelled varnish, good condition Lot 108June 2021£12,292est. € 10.000-12.000
Made for Pierre Chappuis, 1st prix of the Conservatoire, bearing the maker's label, good condition Lot 165December 2020£6,944est. € 5.000-6.000
Bearing the maker's label, table restoration Lot 108November 2019£11,283est. € 12.000-15.000
Bearing the maker's original label, one-piece back, varnish of a red colour on a golden ground, blemish Lot 100June 2017£2,136est. € 3.000-4.000
Viola42.3 cm Paris, 1947 c. WorkshopMay 2008£783
Violin35.3 cm Paris, 1948May 2007£2,651
Viola41.1 cm Paris, 1948 #82February 2007£3,360
Viola42.3 cm Paris, 1947, n°60December 2006£1,198
Viola40.9 cm Paris, 1948, n°79December 2006£879
Violin35.8 cm Paris, 1960, n°104December 2006£1,838
Violin35.4 cm Paris, 1948, n°72December 2006£959
Viola42.4 cm Paris, 1947, n°62June 2006£2,833
Violin35.4 cm Paris, 1948, n°71June 2006£2,024
ViolinParis, 1943November 2005£3,941
Violin BowS/E 54 g.April 1999£715
Violin BowG/T 58 g.November 1998£3,464
Cello BowS/E 84 g.March 1998£897
Violin BowS/E 63 g.June 1997£368
Violin BowS/E 61 g.March 1996£1,610
Violin1944November 1994£4,600
Violin BowG/T 62 g.June 1991£4,950
Violin BowS/E 60 g.June 1990£990
Violin BowS/E 60 g.June 1990£880
Cello BowS/T 83 g.November 1988£1,650

Biographies

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

John Dilworth+

FRANÇAIS, Émile Marcel Born 1894, died 1984 Paris France. Violin and bow maker. Son and pupil of Henri Français, below. Worked for Penzel in Markneukirchen and for Lyon & Healy in Chicago 1912-1914. Established in Paris from 1938 at the address formerly belonging to Lupot. Appointed repairer to the Paris Conservatoire. Employed many of the best makers and repairers of the time. Decorated with the Legion of Honour. President of several associations in the city. Celebrated for reproductions of individual classical instruments. Credited with up to 300 violins, 36 violas, and 24 cellos. Highly regarded bows, branded: EMILE FRANÇAIS A PARIS. Printed label: Fait sous la direction / d’Émile Français / Luthier du Conservatoire National de Musique / 12, Rue de Madrid. Paris (8e) Fait sous la discipline / d’Émile Français / Luthier du Conservatoire national de Musique / No.. Paris 19..

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