Claude-Augustin Miremont
Mirecourt, New York, Paris, 1827–1887
Claude-Augustin Miremont (1827-1887) was a distinguished French violin and bow maker, trained by his father Sébastien Miremont and C. L. Collin. After working in Paris for Lafleur and Bernardel, he established a workshop in New York in 1852 before returning to Paris in 1861. He was renowned for his fine craftsmanship, producing instruments, particularly violoncellos, that copied patterns from masters like Stradivari and Guarneri, often finished with a light orange varnish. Miremont received multiple awards at international exhibitions in New York, Paris, and London, solidifying his reputation as one of the best Parisian makers of the 19th century.
Instruments
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
48 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Labelled C.A. Miremont fecit Parijiis Anni Dni, 1876 Lot 258 | Ingles & Hayday | October 2025 | £18,000est. £ 15,000-20,000 |
| Violin | Labelled C. A. Miremont, New York, Broadway, 542 Année 1859, signed to the label Lot 174 | Tarisio | January 2024 | £11,311est. $ 12,000-18,000 |
| Violin | Unlabelled. Inscribed to the inside back A. Miremont Lot 178 | Tarisio | November 2023 | £19,361est. $ 20,000-30,000 |
| Violin | Guarneri del Gesù model Lot 365 | Vichy | June 2023 | £16,495est. € 15.000-18.000 |
| Violin | Labelled C.A. Miremont, New York, Broadway, 542 Année 186... Médaille De 1ére Classe Expos. De ... Lot 106 | Tarisio | March 2023 | £9,946est. $ 10,000-15,000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label Lot 325 | Vichy | December 2022 | £34,276est. € 18.000-20.000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label Lot 355 | Vichy | June 2022 | £29,585est. € 15.000-20.000 |
| Cello | Labelled C.A. Miremont 20 Faubourg Poissonnier, Paris 1878 Lot 111 | Brompton’s | October 2019 | £72,000est. £ 60,000-80,000 |
| Violin | Guarneri model, one-piece back, varnish of a yellow brown colour Lot 62 | Crédit Municipal | September 2019 | £20,358est. € 15.000-20.000 |
| Viola | Labelled Expositions Universelles de 1853-55-62-67 Quatre Premiers Prix, C.A. Miremont, Brevete ... Lot 163 | Ingles & Hayday | March 2019 | £11,400est. £ 10,000-15,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Expositions universelles de 1855 55 62 67, quatre premiers prix, C. A. Miremont brevete S. ... Lot 155 | Tarisio | March 2018 | £14,160est. £ 10,000-15,000 |
| Cello | Bernard Millant collection, bearing the maker's label Lot 60 | Vichy | November 2017 | £89,760est. € 60.000-80.000 |
| Violin | Bernard Millant collection, bearing the maker's label Lot 73 | Vichy | November 2017 | £11,616est. € 10.000-12.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Expositions Universelles de 1853-55-62-57, Quatre premiers prix, C. A. Miremont, Brevete ... Lot 155 | Tarisio | November 2015 | £9,440est. £ 10,000-15,000 |
| Viola | Bearing the maker's label Lot 160 | Vichy | June 2014 | £14,030est. € 10.000-15.000 |
| Violin | Labelled C. A. Miremont fecit Parisiis, Anno Dni 1870 Lot 173 | Tarisio | March 2013 | £9,600est. £ 5,000-8,000 |
| Violin | Labelled C.A. Miremont, New York, Broadway, annee 1862 Lot 200 | Tarisio | October 2012 | £12,000est. £ 10,000-15,000 |
| Viola | Bearing an original label and dated 1881, signed on the label Lot 130 | Brompton’s | October 2012 | £21,600est. £ 7,000-10,000 |
| Violin | Made in the Lafleur's workshop, n° 9 Lot 267 | Vichy | June 2012 | £4,852est. € 6.000-8.000 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Paris, 1884 | — | January 2011 | £21,250 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Paris, 1865 | — | January 2010 | £5,754 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1865 | — | January 2009 | £4,560 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Paris, 1870-1875 c. | — | January 2009 | £8,705 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Paris, 1874 | — | January 2009 | £11,985 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Paris, 1875 c. | — | January 2009 | £9,334 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Paris, 1873 Workshop of | — | January 2008 | £7,954 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1882 c. | — | January 2008 | £6,435 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Paris, 1867 c. | — | January 2008 | £9,360 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Paris, 1862 | — | January 2007 | £7,658 |
| Cello | 76.1 cm Paris, 1869 | — | January 2007 | £14,729 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Paris, 1880 c. After Guarneri | — | January 2007 | £9,600 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Paris, 1886 | — | January 2006 | £5,040 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Paris, 1872 | — | January 2006 | £14,400 |
| Violin | Paris, 1864 | — | January 2005 | £9,474 |
| Violin | Paris, 1880 c. | — | January 2004 | £7,488 |
| Violin | Paris, 1880 | — | January 2004 | £3,840 |
| Violin | 1872 | — | January 2000 | £4,800 |
| Violin | 1866 | — | January 2000 | £4,960 |
| Violin | 1874 | — | January 1999 | £9,227 |
| Violin | 1878 | — | January 1998 | £2,875 |
| Violin | 1874 | — | January 1998 | £7,475 |
| Violin | 1879 | — | January 1997 | £4,830 |
| Violin | 1876 | — | January 1993 | £4,600 |
| Violin | 1876 | — | January 1991 | £2,640 |
| Violin | 1882 | — | January 1987 | £5,060 |
| Violin | 1881 | — | January 1986 | £756 |
| Violin | 1850 c. | — | January 1984 | £1,980 |
| Viola | 40.0 cm 1881 | — | January 1980 | £990 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Claude-Augustin Miremont (1827-1887) was born in Mirecourt, France, in 1827. He moved to Paris in 1844, where he initially worked for various establishments. In 1852, he emigrated to the United States, establishing himself as a violin maker in New York. He returned to Paris in 1861 and opened his own workshop on the Rue du Faubourg-Poissonnière. Claude-Augustin Miremont retired from business on July 15, 1884, first moving to Belleville and subsequently to Pontorson, where he passed away in 1887.
Characteristics
- Models
- Claude-Augustin Miremont produced instruments copying the patterns of Stradivari, Guarneri, Gagliano, and Klotz.
- Workmanship
- His instruments are noted for their typically fine French workmanship and finish, made with extreme accuracy by himself alone, without assistance from other workmen.
- Varnish
- He commonly used an orange varnish of light consistency, described as 'orangeroth'.
- Instruments
- He made several excellent violins and was particularly successful with violoncellos, which featured spirited outlines and F-holes. His instruments are known for their excellent quality of tone.
- Bows
- Miremont was also an excellent bow maker, and his bows were branded 'MIREMONT'.
- Experimentation
- His attempts to enhance the tone of instruments by inserting a second soundpost were ultimately unsuccessful.
- Labels
- His printed labels included text such as 'Expositions universelles de 1853-55-62-67 / Quatre premiers prix. / C. A. Miremont, Breveté S.G.D.G. / A. M. Paris, an 1875 A. Miremont' and 'C. A. Miremont fecit / Parisiis, Anno Dni 1881', as well as 'C. A. Miremont fecit Parisiis, anno Dni. 1882.'
- Expositions universelles de 1853-55-62-67
Quatre premiers prix.
C. A. Miremont, Breveté S.G.D.G.
A. M. Paris, an 1875John Dilworth - A. Miremont C. A. Miremont fecit
Parisiis, Anno Dni 1881John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Training: Claude-Augustin Miremont was the son and pupil of Sébastien Miremont. He also received training from C. L. Collin, also known as C. N. Collin Mezin, for three years.
- Employment: In Paris, he worked for Lafleur and then for Bernardel until 1852.
- Awards: He received numerous awards at various exhibitions, including a first-class medal in New York in 1853, a medal in Paris in 1855, a prize medal in London in 1862, and silver medals in 1867 and 1878.
- Market Value: By the time of Willibald Leo Lütgendorff's writing, his violins were already valued at 600 Marks.
Further Information
- Workshop Locations: Claude-Augustin Miremont established workshops in New York and later in Paris, at Rue du Faubourg-Poissonnière.
- Retirement Locations: After retiring, he resided first in Belleville and then in Pontorson.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
MIREMONT, Claude-Augustin Born 1827 Mirecourt, died 1887 Pontorson, France. Violin and bow maker. Son and pupil of Sébastien Miremont, below. Worked for C. L. Collin in Mirecourt, and Lafleur and Bernardel in Paris. Moved to the USA 1852. Established in New York. Returned to Paris 1861. Retired 1884 to Belleville and subsequently Pontorson. Awards at Paris, London, and New York Exhibitions. Stradivari, Guarneri, and Gagliano models of typically fine French workmanship and finish. Orange varnish of light consistency. Bows branded: MIREMONT. Printed label: Expositions universelles de 1853-55-62-67 / Quatre premiers prix. / C. A. Miremont, Breveté S.G.D.G. / A. M. Paris, an 1875 A. Miremont C. A. Miremont fecit / Parisiis, Anno Dni 1881
George Hart+
Born at Mirecourt in 1827, removed to Paris in 1844. Miremont has made several excellent Violins, copies of Stradivari and Guarneri.
Cecie Stainer+
Son of Sebastien Miremont; b. 1827, Mirecourt ; d. 1887, Pontorson (Manche). Was first a pupil of his father, then for three years of Collin-Mezin. In 1844 he went to Paris, and worked first with Lafleur, then with Bernardel until 1852, when he left France for America, and settled in New York.
In 1861 he returned to Paris and established himself in rue Faubourg-Poissonniere.
He retired from business on July 15, 1884, and went to live first in Belleville, then at Pontorson, where he died.
He made a great many instruments, chiefly violoncellos ; they were all made with extreme accuracy by himself alone, no workman assisting ; they show good work and have excellent quality of tone. He made some excellent copies of Stradivari and Guarneri, and also several instruments of excellent tone on the Klotz pattern.
Awards at Exhibitions : medal of first class, New York, 1853, and Paris, 1855; prize medal, London, 1862 ; and silver medal in 1867 and 1878.
Labels : ” Expositions universelles de 1853-55-62-67, quatre premiers prix. C. A. Miremont, Brevete S.G.D.G. Paris, an 1875. (Signed) A. Miremont,”
and ” C. A. Miremont fecit Parisiis, anno Dni. 1882.”
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Schüler seines Vaters Sebastian M. und von C. N. Collin Mezin; kam 1844
nach Paris, wo er zunächst an verschiedenen Stellen als Gehilfe arbeitete. Er
wanderte 1852 nach Amerika aus und liess sich in New-York als Geigenmacher
nieder, kehrte aber 1861 wieder nach Paris zurück und eröffnete seine Werkstatt
in der Rue du Faubourg-Poissonnière. Er copirte trefflich Jos. Guarnerius,
Stradivari, Gagliano und Klotz und gehört zu den besten Parisern des 19. Jahrhunderts, Geigen von ihm werden schon jetzt mit 600 M. bezahlt. Seine Versuche,
den Ton der Instrumente durch Einsetzen eines zweiten Stimmstocks zu
erhöhen, müssen jedoch als missglückt bezeichnet werden. Er erhielt eine ganze
Reihe von Medaillen etc. Er ist auch ein trefflicher Bogenmacher gewesen.
Im Jahre 1884 zog er sich vom Geschäft zurück und liess sich in Belleville
und dann in Pontorson nieder. Am besten glückten ihm Violoncelli; an diesen
waren die Umrisslinien und die F-Löcher besonders schwungvoll. Sein Lack
war gewöhnlich orangeroth.
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