J. A. Lapaix

A maker in Lille (Nord, France), who from 1840 to 1855 made various attempts to improve upon the usual violin pattern. The first instrument, dated " 1840, No. 1," was of a very exaggerated character ; he continued to make other instruments, which differed less from the traditional form, and tried the experiment of cutting the sides out of one piece of wood, hollowed out and carved in the usual shape, so that there were only six pieces instead of the usual twenty-four to join together. In 1848 he was awarded a medal by the Society for the Encouragement of National Industries, and in 1852 the merit of his instruments was noticed by the Imperial Society of Lille. He obtained a medal of the 2nd class at the Paris Exhibition, 1855.