Emile Mennesson
Mirecourt, Paris, Reims, Rheims, 1842–1920
Emile Mennesson (1842-1920) was a prominent French luthier who transitioned from piano making to fully dedicating himself to violin making by 1874. After working in Paris and with Joseph Guarini in Mirecourt, he established his own successful workshop, producing over 3,000 instruments, many under the Guarini trademark. His instruments, often modelled after the 1716 Stradivari 'Messie' violin, were known for their red or yellow-red varnish and the use of fine old wood. Mennesson was highly acclaimed, earning 19 diplomas and medals, including the Decoration of the Royal Order of Christ of Portugal, and exhibiting his work internationally.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
116 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label n. 132, minor table crack Lot 203 | Laurent | January 2024 | £7,249est. € 3.000-4.000 |
| Bearing the maker's label n. 1069, fair condition Lot 167 | — | November 2023 | £4,973est. € 3.500-4.000 | |
| Bearing the maker's label n. 1509, some table restoration including the sound post crack Lot 171 | — | November 2023 | £3,892est. € 2.000-3.000 | |
| Many table restorations including sound post and bass bar cracks with patchs, good condition Lot 67 | — | November 2023 | £18,284est. € 8.000-10.000 | |
| Labelled Ste Cécile de Paris 1879, minor upper ribs cracks, otherwise very good condition Lot 12 | — | June 2023 | £3,733est. € 3.000-4.000 | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini fecit Anno 1879 No1068 Émile Mennesson, à Reims (Marne), inscribed EM Lot 445 | — | March 2023 | £9,600est. £ 4,000-6,000 | |
| Labelled Pirot, some table restorations Lot 272 | — | June 2022 | £6,868est. € 3.000-4.000 | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini, n. 299, some table restorations Lot 307 | — | June 2022 | £7,396est. € 3.000-4.000 | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini, many table restorations, table and back sound post cracks Lot 774 | — | December 2021 | £2,960est. € 600-800 | |
| Bearing the maker's label, good condition Lot 525 | — | June 2021 | £3,629est. € 2.000-3.000 | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini, n. 1827, restored table cracks Lot 56 | — | June 2021 | £4,917est. € 1.500-2.000 | |
| Labelled Sébastien Vuillaume, good condition Lot 268 | — | December 2020 | £6,048est. € 4.000-5.000 | |
| Labelled E. M. (3) Ste - Cecile, De Champagne, No. anno 1881 Lot 136 | — | November 2020 | £4,983est. $ 5,000-8,000 | |
| Labelled Joseph GUARINI fecit ..., two-piece back, varnish of an orange brown colour on a golden ground Lot 49 | — | November 2020 | £3,016est. € 2.800-3.200 | |
| Bearing an original label dated 1898 and numbered 2334 Lot 23 | — | October 2020 | £22,800est. £ 18,000-25,000 | |
| One-piece back of medium fine curl, varnish of a light reddish brown colour on a golden ground Lot 2449 | — | September 2020 | £1,980est. £ 1,500-2,000 | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini Anno 1877. N° 492. Emile ..., one-piece back, varnish of a red brown colour Lot 112 | — | July 2020 | £2,062est. € 1.800-2.000 | |
| Lot 111 | — | March 2020 | £10,723est. KRW 13-25m. | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini, fecit anno 1884, No 211, William ..., repairs to table and back button Lot 250 | — | March 2020 | £3,360est. £ 2,000-4,000 | |
| Lot 212 | — | November 2019 | £7,945est. KRW 10m-20m | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini n. 1274, good condition Lot 317 | — | November 2019 | £5,334est. € 3.000-4.000 | |
| Labelled E. M. Paris, a l'union Misicale et artistique 13 Boulevard Saint-Denis ..., table and ribs repairs Lot 95 | — | October 2019 | £1,560est. £ 1,500-2,000 | |
| Labelled Emile Mennesson dit Guarini, luthier à ste Cecile à Reims, 3 medailes d'or decoration de ... Lot 164 | — | June 2019 | £4,800est. £ 4,000-6,000 | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini n. 808, some restorations Lot 254 | — | December 2018 | £1,924est. € 1.500-2.000 | |
| Labelled M. Mermillot, good condition Lot 212 | — | June 2018 | £3,365est. € 3.000-4.000 | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini, n. 1166, table sound post crack Lot 317 | — | November 2017 | £3,168est. € 3.000-4.000 | |
| Bearing the maker's label n. 803, good condition Lot 62 | — | November 2017 | £5,280est. € 3.000-4.000 | |
| Two-piece back of medium curl, varnish of a light reddish brown colour on a golden ground Lot 32 | — | October 2017 | £3,480est. £ 3,000-5,000 | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini fecit anno 1877 No. 717 Emile Mennesson a Reims ..., minor repairs to table Lot 58 | — | March 2017 | £3,600est. £ 3,000-5,000 | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini n. 1808, some restorations, table sound post crack Lot 12 | — | December 2016 | £2,132est. € 1.000-1.500 | |
| Nickel mounted, branded J. GUARINI, Vuillaume model frog, unhaired and unlapping Lot 40 | — | November 2016 | £1,326est. € 180-250 | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini fecit, anno 1876 no 519, Emile Mennesson, à Reims Marne, seul ... Lot 139 | — | October 2016 | £4,720est. £ 4,000-6,000 | |
| Bearing the maker's label n. 2764, good condition Lot 267 | — | June 2016 | £6,600est. € 3.000-4.000 | |
| Bearing the maker's label n. 1662, table cracks, table sound post and bass bar cracks Lot 770 | — | June 2016 | £1,781est. € 800 | |
| Two-piece back of faint broad curl, ribs similar, table of fine grain, varnish of a golden brown colour Lot 1437 | — | March 2016 | £2,880est. £ 2,000-3,000 | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini, n. 1638, good condition Lot 268 | — | December 2015 | £5,111est. € 3.500-4.000 | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini n. 150, original table restoration, otherwise good condition Lot 316 | — | December 2015 | £2,385est. € 3.000-4.000 | |
| Labelled Guarini, n. 150, some table restorations, table sound post crack Lot 366 | — | December 2015 | £1,193est. € 1.500-2.000 | |
| Violin | Lot 162 | Bonhams | November 2015 | £2,250 |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini and Menesson n° 1291, good condition Lot 21 | — | June 2015 | £3,679est. € 1.500-2.000 | |
| Labelled Emile Mennesson, dit Guarini, Luthier (a Sainte Cecile) ... année 1889 No 2050 Lot 589 | — | June 2015 | £1,080est. £ 1,500-2,000 | |
| Two-piece back of medium curl, ribs similar, table of fine grain, varnish of a chocolate red brown colour Lot 1032 | — | March 2015 | £1,104est. £ 650-850 | |
| Bearing the maker's label n° 192, minor restoration Lot 224 | — | December 2014 | £3,767est. € 2.000-2.500 | |
| Bearing the maker's label Lot 23 | — | November 2014 | £1,243est. $ 2,000-3,000 | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini n° 1475, minor table restorations Lot 66 | — | June 2014 | £2,129est. € 2.500-3.000 | |
| N° 1472, labelled Joseph Guarini, varnish blemish, otherwise good condition Lot 24 | — | December 2013 | £2,986est. € 2.000-2.500 | |
| labelled Joseph Guarini, good condition Lot 262 | — | June 2013 | £5,304est. € 3.000-4.000 | |
| Bearing the maker's label n° 2733, good condition Lot 71 | — | December 2012 | £1,951est. € 1.500-1.800 | |
| Labelled M. Mermillot, good condition Lot 20 | — | June 2012 | £2,232est. € 2.500-3.000 | |
| Labelled Joseph Guarini, good condition Lot 423 | — | June 2012 | £2,911est. € 3.000-4.000 | |
| Bearing the maker's label n° 2334, some table and ribs restorations, table sound post restoration Lot 453 | — | June 2012 | £10,190est. € 7.000-9.000 | |
| Violin | Lot 26 | Giafferi | January 2012 | £50est. € 50-100 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Reims, 1876 n°484 | — | January 2011 | £5,495 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Reims, 1877 n°578 | — | January 2011 | £2,755 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Reims, 1885 n°1708 | — | January 2011 | £4,188 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Reims, 1895 n°2775 | — | January 2011 | £3,306 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Reims, 1877 n°864 Worskhop of | — | January 2011 | £1,433 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Reims, 1886 | — | January 2011 | £8,740 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Reims, 1879 n°10553 (soundpost crack) | — | January 2010 | £1,657 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm France, 1878 | — | January 2010 | £1,080 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Reims, 1893 (soundpost crack) Workshop of | — | January 2010 | £1,036 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Reims, 1875 n°694 Workshop of | — | January 2010 | £3,935 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm Reims, 1880 | — | January 2010 | £6,164 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Reims, 1885 near mint condition | — | January 2010 | £3,360 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Reims, 1880 c. | — | January 2009 | £2,285 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm | — | January 2009 | £2,176 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, late 19th C. sold by "Emile Menesson" | — | January 2009 | £363 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Mirecourt, 1890 c. Workshop of | — | January 2009 | £1,755 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Reims, 1899 #2538 | — | January 2008 | £4,095 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Reims en 1878 (breaks on table) Workshop of | — | January 2008 | £1,536 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Reims, 1889 n°2163 | — | January 2008 | £4,300 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Reims, 1880 c. | — | January 2008 | £2,878 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Reims, 1890 c. (restored soundpost crack) | — | January 2008 | £2,600 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Reims, 1887 (restored head & sound post crack)) | — | January 2007 | £2,723 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Reims, 1875 | — | January 2007 | £2,285 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Rheims, 1880 c. | — | January 2007 | £1,443 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1886 | — | January 2007 | £3,168 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Reims, 1878, n°1460 (restored soundpost crack) | — | January 2006 | £3,995 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Reims, 1881, n°1553 | — | January 2006 | £2,428 |
| Violin | 33.7 cm 3/4 Size Workshop of | — | January 2006 | £1,060 |
| Violin | Rheims, 1876 #306 | — | January 2005 | £878 |
| Violin | Reims, 1886 | — | January 2005 | £2,160 |
| Violin | Reims, 1893 #2605 | — | January 2005 | £1,737 |
| Violin | Reims, 1888 #1950 | — | January 2004 | £1,140 |
| Violin | 1898 | — | January 2004 | £1,346 |
| Violin | Probably by | — | January 2004 | £3,056 |
| Violin | 1874 | — | January 2003 | £2,391 |
| Violin | 1877 | — | January 2003 | £2,309 |
| Violin | 1903 | — | January 2003 | £3,000 |
| Violin | 1879 | — | January 2003 | £2,500 |
| Violin | 1888 | — | January 2003 | £3,680 |
| Cello | 1877 | — | January 2001 | £8,400 |
| Violin | 1898 | — | January 2001 | £2,723 |
| Violin | 1877 | — | January 2001 | £2,300 |
| Violin | 1878 | — | January 2000 | £2,640 |
| Violin | 1888 | — | January 2000 | £1,958 |
| Violin | 1887 | — | January 1998 | £1,265 |
| Violin | 1887 | — | January 1997 | £1,610 |
| Violin | 1884 | — | January 1997 | £2,530 |
| Violin | 1877 | — | January 1997 | £1,840 |
| Violin | 1878 | — | January 1997 | £1,208 |
| Violin | 1886 | — | January 1996 | £2,990 |
| Violin | 1878 | — | January 1995 | £3,105 |
| Violin | 1878 | — | January 1995 | £2,990 |
| Violin | 1883 | — | January 1994 | £1,725 |
| Violin | 1884 | — | January 1994 | £3,450 |
| Violin | 1876 | — | January 1994 | £1,760 |
| Violin | 1876 | — | January 1993 | £2,185 |
| Violin | 1870 | — | January 1993 | £1,320 |
| Violin | 1889 | — | January 1992 | £3,960 |
| Violin | 1878 | — | January 1992 | £2,804 |
| Violin | 1904 | — | January 1992 | £1,870 |
| Violin | 1870 | — | January 1989 | £396 |
| Violin Bow | S/E | — | January 1989 | £132 |
| Cello | 1886 | — | January 1988 | £4,400 |
| Cello | 1886 | — | January 1986 | £2,808 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Emile Mennesson (1842-1920) was born on March 15, 1842, in Rheims, France, where he later died in 1920. He began his career in 1865 as a piano maker and music dealer, but his inclination and talent increasingly drew him towards violin making, a craft he fully dedicated himself to from 1874. Mennesson worked in Paris before being employed by Martin and Joseph Guarini in Mirecourt. Between 1876 and 1881, he established his own extensive workshop in Mirecourt, subsequently taking over the Guarini business and utilizing the name as a professional trademark for his high-quality commercial instruments. He was highly successful, producing over 3,000 violins, violas, and cellos under the Guarini label. His firm later became known as Emile Mennesson & Fils, successeurs, and his shop sign was 'à Ste Cécile'.
Characteristics
- Models
- Instruments were mostly modelled on Stradivari forms, with violins specifically based on the 1716 Stradivari 'Messie' violin.
- Varnish
- His instruments featured red or yellow-red varnish. Cecie Stainer notes that the varnish was initially red, later transitioning to yellow-red with an amber ground.
- Materials
- Mennesson utilized beautiful old wood in his constructions.
- Workmanship
- He applied particular care to the varnishing process, incorporating the results of chemical experiments by Gery.
- Inventions
- Mennesson is credited as the inventor of the 'Molliphone'.
- Labels
- Examples of his labels include "E. M. Joseph Guarini fecit (A) / Anno 1881. No. 1565 / Emile Mennesson, à Reims (Marne)/ Seul concessionare pour la France et l’étranger / Déposé" and "Emile Mennesson dit Guarini / E.M. Luthier à Ste. Cécile à Reims / 2 Médailles d’or Décoration de l’Ordre Royal / du Christ de Portugal / Année 1886 No. 1903".
- E. M. Joseph Guarini fecit (A)
Anno 1881John Dilworth - No. 1565
Emile Mennesson, à Reims (Marne)
Seul concessionare pour la France et l’étranger
Déposé Emile Mennesson dit Guarini
E.M. Luthier à Ste. Cécile à Reims
2 Médailles d’or Décoration de l’Ordre Royal
du Christ de Portugal
Année 1886John Dilworth - No. 1903John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Training: Emile Mennesson received training and worked with both Mennegand and Deroux.
- Awards and Recognition: Mennesson was highly decorated, receiving medals and citations at various exhibitions. He accumulated 19 diplomas and medals, including gold and silver medals and numerous 'diplomes d'honneur'. He was also awarded the Decoration of the Royal Order of Christ of Portugal.
- Exhibitions: His work was exhibited at significant events in Paris (1875, 1878, 1894), Philadelphia (1876), Rheims (1876, 1889, 1895), Rome (1884), Epernay (1884), and Charleville (1894).
- Publications: In 1876, L. S. Fanart published a detailed report on Mennesson, which was presented at the National Academy in Reims.
Further Information
- Workshop Locations: Mennesson worked in Paris and Mirecourt before establishing his main presence in Rheims.
- Address: He resided at 10, rue Carnot in Rheims.
- Production Volume: He is recorded to have made 2,380 violins according to Cecie Stainer, while John Dilworth states over 3,000 violins, violas, and cellos were made under the Guarini label.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
MENNESSON, Emile Born 1842, died 1920 Rheims France. Worked in Paris before employment with Martin and Joseph Guarini in Mirecourt where he later established his own extensive workshop 1876-1881, taking over the business of Guarini and using the name as a professional trade mark in good quality commercial instruments. Highly successful. Over 3,000 violins, violas, and cellos made with the Guarini label. Mostly modelled on Stradivari forms, the violins based on the 1716 Stradivari ‘Messie’ violin. Red or yellow-red varnish. Awarded medals and citations at various exhibitions. E. M. Joseph Guarini fecit (A) / Anno 1881. No. 1565 / Emile Mennesson, à Reims (Marne)/ Seul concessionare pour la France et l’étranger / Déposé Emile Mennesson dit Guarini / E.M. Luthier à Ste. Cécile à Reims / 2 Médailles d’or Décoration de l’Ordre Royal / du Christ de Portugal / Année 1886 No. 1903
Cecie Stainer+
b. March 15, 1842, Rheims. Lives there at 10, rue Carnot. Worked with Mennegand and Deroux. Had large workshop at Mirecourt, 1876-81.
Has made 2,380 violins, following the pattern of Stradivari’s “Messiah” violin; varnish, first red, later yellow-red with amber ground. Exhibited at Paris (1875-78-94), Philadelphia (1876), Rheims (1876-89-95), Rome (1884), Epernay (1884 , Charleville (1894), and was awarded gold and silver medals and numerous ” diplomes d’honneur.”
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Einer der besseren französischen Geigenmacher der Gegenwart. Im Jahre 1865
begann er als Klaviermacher und Musikalienhändler, seine Neigung und sein Talent
führten ihn aber mehr und mehr zum Geigenmachen, dem er sich seit 1874 vollständig
widmete. Er arbeitete bei Mennegand und Deroux und dann von 1876
bis 1880 in Mirecourt und hat zahlreiche Copien nach der Messias-Geige
Stradivari’s angefertigt. Er verarbeitet schönes altes Holz und verwendet besondere
Sorgfalt auf die Lackierung, wobei er die Ergebnisse der chemischen
Versuche Gery’s sich zu Nutze macht. Er ist der Erfinder der »Molliphone«
etc. und besitzt 19 Diplome und Medaillen. L. S. Fanart veröffentlichte ein in
der National-Akademie zu Reims 1876 verlesenes ausführliches Gutachten über
Mennesson. — Er führt das Ladenschild »à Ste Cécile«. Die Firma lautet jetzt
Emile Mennesson & Fils, successeurs.
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