Joseph (Pierre Joseph) Hel
Lille, Paris, 1842–1902
Joseph (Pierre Joseph) Hel (1842-1902) was a highly acclaimed French luthier born in Mazirot. After apprenticeships with Salzard and working with Sébastien Vuillaume and N. Darche, he established his own workshop in Lille in 1865. Renowned for his superior copies of Italian masters like Stradivari and Guarneri, he was credited with over 800 instruments, all crafted with meticulous attention to detail, including his unique wood seasoning method and oil varnish. Hel received numerous awards at international exhibitions, was made an "Officier de l'Academie," and served as "Luthier to the Lille Conservatoire." He also invented a cello extension spike and an improved peg-fixing mechanism.
Instruments
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
82 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Labelled Stradiuarius moderne, Fait par J. Hel, Luthier du Conservatoire de Lille N° 94 1886 Lot 218 | — | March 2026 | £20,400est. Estimate £ 14,000-18,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Joseph Hel Luthier à Lille 1889, inscribed Exposition d'Anvers 18... Médaille d'Or Lot 213 | — | March 2026 | £9,600est. Estimate £ 8,000-12,000 |
| Violin | A violin by Joseph Hel, Lille, 1901 Lot 75 | Amati | October 2025 | £10,707est. £ 10,000-20,000 |
| Violin | A violin by Joseph Hel, Lille, 1897 Lot 92 | Amati | October 2025 | £11,515est. £ 10,000-15,000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label n. 307 and signature to the table, bird's-eye maple back and ribs, fair condition Lot 220 | Laurent | December 2024 | £14,497est. € 12.000-15.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Joseph Hel Luthier à Lille 1893, stamped Exposition Universelle Paris 1865 Médaille d'Or Lot 184 | Tarisio | November 2024 | £14,831est. $ 18,000-25,000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's original label n. 418 and brands, excellent condition Lot 39 | Aguttes | November 2024 | £19,069est. € 12.000-15.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Joseph Hel, Luthier à Lille 1902, branded to the lower ribs J. Hel à Lille, inscribed Fait par J. ... Lot 150 | Tarisio | October 2024 | £14,045est. € 15.000-22.000 |
| Violin | 7/8 size violin, labelled Joseph Hel, Luthier à Lille 1889, stamped Exposition d'Anvers 1885, Medaille ... Lot 186 | Ingles & H. | October 2024 | £11,400est. £ 5,000-7,000 |
| Violin | Table by the maker but non original to the violin, table blemish and minor crack Lot 20 | Laurent | June 2024 | £10,636est. € 12.000-15.000 |
| Violin | After Serafino, labelled Joseph Hel Luthier à Lille 1896 Copie de Santo Séraphin, numbered 439 Lot 32 | Ingles & H. | March 2024 | £21,600est. £ 18,000-25,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Stradivarius moderne, Fait par J. Hel, Luthier du Conservatoire de Lille, No. 43, 1883 ... Lot 56 | Tarisio | March 2024 | £11,800est. £ 15,000-22,000 |
| Cello | Some table ans ribs restorations, restored table sound post crack with patch, good condition Lot 13 | Piguet | March 2024 | £47,875est. CHF 30,000-50,000 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Lille, 1902 | — | November 2011 | £5,170 |
| Violin | 36.3 cm Lille, 1901 after "Maggini" | — | October 2011 | £10,000 |
| Violin | Lille, 1890 | — | September 2011 | £13,200 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Lille, 1894 n°365 | — | June 2011 | £15,430 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Lille, 1901 n°609 | — | June 2011 | £10,470 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Lille, 1889 n°206 | — | June 2011 | £13,777 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Lille, 1886 n°157 | — | June 2011 | £18,736 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm 1900 c. Attributed to | — | March 2011 | £3,300 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Lille, 1892 | — | March 2011 | £11,400 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 64.5 g. (adustor later) | — | October 2010 | £394 |
| Violin | 34.0 cm Paris, 1899 decorated, Child's size | — | June 2010 | £4,800 |
| Cello | 76.0 cm Lille, 1891 n°183 Workshop of | — | October 2009 | £29,659 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Lille, 1892 | — | October 2009 | £18,600 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Lille, 1888 | — | October 2009 | £13,200 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Lille, 1894, #375 | — | November 2008 | £7,484 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Lille, 1901 | — | November 2008 | £3,553 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Lille, 1907 | — | May 2008 | £5,089 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. without hair | — | May 2008 | £1,438 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Lille, 1892, #296 | — | December 2007 | £14,891 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Lille, 1894 (revarnished table) | — | December 2007 | £5,105 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm 1887 | — | July 2007 | £7,200 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm 1890, #175 | — | June 2007 | £5,611 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Lille, 1885 | — | February 2007 | £9,000 |
| Cello | 76.1 cm Lille, 1892, n°196 (restored soundpost break) | — | December 2006 | £21,571 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Lille, 1888 | — | December 2006 | £9,587 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Lille, 1894, n°212 | — | June 2006 | £8,094 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. France, 1900 c. Workshop of | — | February 2006 | £1,140 |
| Violin | Lille, 1892 | — | November 2005 | £12,632 |
| Viola | 39.5 cm Lille, 1890 c. | — | June 2005 | £6,118 |
| Violin | Lille, 1899 #502 | — | May 2005 | £14,531 |
| Violin Bow | N/E 59 g. | — | February 2005 | £1,320 |
| Violin | Lille, 1882 #94 | — | December 2004 | £6,919 |
| Violin | 1888 | — | June 2003 | £13,332 |
| Violin | 1878 | — | June 2002 | £11,776 |
| Viola | 39.3 cm 1872 | — | December 2000 | £4,078 |
| Violin | 1884 | — | December 2000 | £12,744 |
| Violin | 1894 | — | November 2000 | £6,900 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. Workshop | — | October 2000 | £5,638 |
| Violin | 1880 | — | June 2000 | £12,650 |
| Violin | 1885 | — | November 1999 | £7,000 |
| Violin Bow | N/E 59 g. | — | May 1999 | £704 |
| Violin | 1896 | — | March 1999 | £3,220 |
| Violin | 1886 | — | November 1998 | £9,775 |
| Violin | 1888 | — | October 1998 | £9,775 |
| Violin | 1900 | — | June 1998 | £5,859 |
| Viola | 40.8 cm 1882 | — | March 1997 | £15,525 |
| Violin | 1885 | — | March 1997 | £11,500 |
| Cello | 1882 | — | November 1996 | £40,250 |
| Violin | 1892 | — | November 1996 | £6,900 |
| Violin | 1884 | — | June 1996 | £3,450 |
| Cello | 1884 | — | June 1996 | £7,475 |
| Violin | 1869 | — | June 1996 | £8,050 |
| Violin | 1883 | — | March 1995 | £10,925 |
| Violin | 1888 | — | March 1995 | £9,200 |
| Violin | 18-- | — | October 1994 | £4,600 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | July 1993 | £2,300 |
| Violin | 1889 | — | November 1992 | £11,000 |
| Viola | 38.9 cm 1868 | — | November 1992 | £5,280 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | June 1992 | £880 |
| Violin | 1899 | — | March 1992 | £13,200 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | March 1992 | £2,090 |
| Violin | 1897 | — | March 1992 | £3,850 |
| Violin | 1888 | — | June 1991 | £10,450 |
| Violin | 1883 | — | June 1991 | £9,020 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 70 g. | — | June 1988 | £440 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | April 1985 | £594 |
| Cello Bow | G/I 76 g. | — | June 1983 | £1,429 |
| Viola | 37.1 cm 1871 | — | November 1982 | £1,100 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 64 g. | — | June 1980 | £374 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Joseph (Pierre Joseph) Hel (1842-1902) was born on February 8, 1842, in Mazirot, near Mirecourt, in the Vosges region of France. He undertook an apprenticeship with Salzard in Mirecourt for seven years, learning the craft of violin making. Following this, he worked for two years with Sébastien Vuillaume in Paris. In 1864-1865, he worked with N. Darche in Aix-la-Chapelle. In 1865, Joseph Hel established his own independent workshop in Lille, France. He was responsible for carrying out restoration work for the Lille Conservatoire and also for the Glasgow dealer David Laurie from approximately 1880. Joseph Hel died in 1902 in Lille, France.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- Joseph Hel was an excellent workman who made all his instruments himself. He was credited with producing over 800 instruments. His instruments are noted for their beautiful pattern and good tone, with all details carefully finished.
- Copies
- He made very superior copies of instruments by great Italian masters, primarily Stradivari, Guarneri, Amati, and Maggini, often in the style of Vuillaume.
- Varnish
- Hel paid particular attention to his varnish, which he understood how to bring very close in appearance to Cremonese examples. He used oil varnish.
- Wood Treatment
- He developed a special method for seasoning the wood he used, which involved removing elements that interfere with tone without the use of fire or acids.
- Inventions
- Joseph Hel invented an extension spike for the violoncello and an ingenious and practical method for fixing pegs, which allowed for gradual tightening of strings and prevented sudden slippage, all while maintaining the traditional head shape.
- Joseph Hel
Luthier à Lille. 1893John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Apprenticeship: Joseph Hel was apprenticed to Salzard in Mirecourt for seven years.
- Mentorship: He worked for two years with Sébastien Vuillaume in Paris.
- Professional Experience: He also worked with N. Darche in Aix-la-Chapelle from 1864 to 1865.
- Awards: Joseph Hel received numerous awards at various European and American exhibitions, including a gold medal in Lille (1882), a diploma of honour in St. Omer (1884), a gold medal in Antwerp (1885), a gold medal in Liverpool (1886), and a gold medal in Paris (1889).
- Recognition: He was made an "Officier de l'Academie" and served as "Luthier to the Lille Conservatoire."
- Jury Service: He was repeatedly called upon as a juror for exhibitions, serving at the Münich Exhibition (1893), Chicago (1893), and Bordeaux (1895), which prevented him from competing at these events.
Further Information
- Workshop Location: Joseph Hel's business was established at 14, rue Nationale, Lille.
- Branding: His instruments were sometimes branded above the endpin with 'J. Hel à Lille'.
- Labels: Printed labels found in his instruments include "Joseph Hel / Luthier à Lille. 1893".
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
HEL, Joseph (Pierre Joseph) Born 1842 Mazirot, Vosges, died 1902 Lille France. Apprenticed to Salzard at Mirecourt for seven years. Worked for two years with Sébastien Vuillaume, and for N. Darche at Aix-la-Chapelle 1864. Established independently in Lille from 1865. Carried out restoration work for Lille Conservatoire and for the Glasgow dealer David Laurie from c.1880. Numerous awards at various European and American exhibitions. Made an officer of the French Academy. Credited with over 800 instruments. Very superior copies of Stradivari and Guarneri instruments in the Vuillaume style. Sometimes branded above the endpin: ‘J. Hel à Lille’. Printed labels: Joseph Hel / Luthier à Lille. 1893
Cecie Stainer+
b. Feb. 8, 1842, at Mazirot, near Mirecourt (Vosges). Was apprenticed for seven years in Mirecourt, was then for two years with Sebastien Vuillaume in Paris, and for a year (1864-5) with Nicolas Darche at Aix-la-Chapelle.
In 1865 he started his own business at 14, rue Nationale, Lille. He was an excellent workman and made all his instruments himself; the pattern is very beautiful ; the tone is good; he used oil varnish ; all the details are carefully finished. He also showed great skill in repairing old Italian instruments. He had a special method of seasoning the wood he used, removing, without the use of fire or acids, every element that interferes with the tone.
In 1886 he invented an ingenious method of fixing the pegs, which enables the strings to be gradually tightened, and prevents their suddenly running down; the shape of the head remains the same.
Was awarded: gold medal, Lille, 1882 ; diploma of honour, St. Omer, 1884 ; gold medal, Antwerp, 1885; gold medal, Liverpool, 1886; gold medal, Paris, 1889 ; a member of the jury at the Münich Exhibition, 1893, consequently unable to compete; the same at Chicago, 1893; and at Bordeaux, 1895. Made ” Officier de l’Academie” and ” Luthier to the Lille Conservatoire.”
He died 1902.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Nachdem er durch acht Jahre in Mirecourt das Geigenmachen erlernt hatte,
kam er nach Paris zu Seb. Vuillaume, den er zwei Jahre später verliess, um
nach Aachen zu Darche zu gehen. Im Jahre 1865 eröffnete er seine eigene
Werkstatt in Lille und machte es sich zur Aufgabe, die grossen italienischen
Meister (hauptsächlich Stradivari, Guarneri, Amati und Maggini) in allen Theilen
genau zu copiren, wobei er auch auf den Lack besondere Sorgfalt verlegte, den
er thatsächlich im Aussehen dem Cremoneser sehr nahe zu bringen versteht.
Seine Geigen sind, was Schönheit der Arbeit und des Tons anbelangt, tadellos,
und so erhielt er auch auf allen von ihm beschickten Ausstellungen erste Preise
und wurde wiederholt als Juror berufen. Er erfand u. A. einen Verlängerungsstachel
für das Violoncell und eine recht brauchbare Wirbelbefestigung.
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