Joseph Laurent Mast

History

Joseph Laurent Mast (1779-after 1830) was born in Mirecourt, France, in 1779 and died after 1830 in Toulouse, France.

He was the son and pupil of Jean Laurent Mast and was apprenticed to Didier Nicolas.

Joseph Laurent Mast established himself independently in Toulouse around 1800, working in the rue des Balances.

According to Cecie Stainer, he was still in Mirecourt in 1820 before settling in Toulouse.

A violin in the Paris Conservatoire Collection bears a label stating: "Josephus Laurentius Mast fecit Apollini Deo Harmonise 1816, repare chez Schubert Epinal, 1831."

Craft

• Workmanship: John Dilworth describes his work as "more classically graceful" than that of his father, Jean Laurent Mast. Cecie Stainer notes that his instruments are of "better workmanship than those of his father."
• Archings: His instruments feature widely scooped arching of medium height, quite flat across the centre, and are generally described as arched.
• Soundholes: Sources contain conflicting information regarding the soundholes; John Dilworth describes them as "rather narrow and upright soundholes, elegantly shaped," while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that "die F-Löcher sitzen bei ihm selten an der richtigen Stelle" (the F-holes are rarely in the right place), and Cecie Stainer states they are "not well cut."
• Purfling: The purfling mitres are deflected strongly across the corners.
• Varnish: He used a traditional Mirecourt yellow varnish, but also a "better orange red recipe," according to John Dilworth. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff mentions his varnish as yellow or reddish and good-looking, while Cecie Stainer notes he used two varnishes, one yellow-brown and the other reddish in colour.
• Materials: Joseph Laurent Mast utilized good materials, including beautiful wood, for his instruments.
• Decoration: Some instruments feature painted and decorated backs.
• Other Instruments: He was also a prolific guitar maker.

Influence

• Parentage: Joseph Laurent Mast was the son and pupil of Jean Laurent Mast.
• Apprenticeship: He was apprenticed to Didier Nicolas.
• School: According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, his work clearly shows the influence of his Mirecourtian school.

Legacy

• Museum Collections: A violin made by Joseph Laurent Mast is preserved in the Paris Conservatoire Collection.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: Joseph Laurent Mast established his workshop in Toulouse, France, in the rue des Balances.
• Branding: Instruments were branded internally and beneath the back button with 'Mast Fils. Toulouse'. Cecie Stainer notes a brand of "Mast fils Toulouse, 1825."
• Labels: Printed labels include "Joseph Laurentius Mast fecit / Apollini, Deo Harmonia / 1816 Racommodé par Mast, rue / des Balances à Toulouse, 1808" and "Josephus Laurentius Mast fecit Apollini Deo Harmonise 1816, repare chez Schubert Epinal, 1831."

Summary

Joseph Laurent Mast (1779-after 1830) was a French luthier born in Mirecourt, the son and pupil of Jean Laurent Mast, and an apprentice to Didier Nicolas. He established his independent workshop in Toulouse around 1800, located in the rue des Balances. His work is noted for being more classically graceful and of better workmanship than his father's, though still recognizably Mirecourtian. He employed widely scooped archings, good materials, and a range of varnishes including traditional yellow and a better orange-red recipe. Sources offer conflicting descriptions of his soundholes. Mast was also a prolific guitar maker, branding his instruments internally with 'Mast Fils. Toulouse' and using detailed printed labels.