Hippolyte Silvestre

History

Hippolyte SILVESTRE (1808-1879) was born on December 14, 1808, in Saint-Nicolas-du-Port, Meurthe, France, and passed away on December 3, 1879, in Sommerviller, near Nancy. He began his career as an apprentice with Blaise at Mirecourt, and later worked in the shop of J.-B. Vuillaume in Paris. In 1829, according to George Hart, or 1831, according to Henri Poidras, John Dilworth, and Cecie Stainer, he entered into a partnership with his brother Pierre in Lyon, forming Silvestre Frères. He collaborated with his brother until 1848, when he retired to Sommerviller, continuing to make instruments as a hobby. Following the death of his brother Pierre in 1859, Hippolyte was compelled to resume management of the concern in Lyon to prevent its collapse. He continued in this role until 1865, when he retired once more to Sommerviller, transferring the business to his nephew, M.-H.-C. Silvestre, also referred to as Chrétian or H. Chretien.

Craft

• Workmanship: Hippolyte Silvestre's work, though considered by Henri Poidras not to be equal to that of his brother, "deserves much praise." John Dilworth describes his output as "very good clean professional work of a commercial sort."
• Models and Varnish: He crafted instruments on "classical Cremonese models with shaded varnish," as noted by John Dilworth.
• Labeling: Instruments bearing his individual label are "very rare" because he was primarily involved in the business aspect of the partnership. Joint labels with his brother Pierre are more frequently encountered than his solo-labeled pieces, according to John Dilworth.

Influence

• Apprenticeship: Hippolyte Silvestre was a pupil of Blaise in Mirecourt.
• Mentorship: He later worked with J.-B. Vuillaume in Paris, as stated by Cecie Stainer, or in Mirecourt, as stated by John Dilworth.

Legacy

• Succession: In 1865, Hippolyte Silvestre transferred the family business to his nephew, M.-H.-C. Silvestre, also known as Chrétian or H. Chretien, who was his sister's son.

Further Information

• Partnership: He was associated with his brother Pierre from 1831 as Silvestre Frères.
• Residences and Workshops: Hippolyte Silvestre worked in Lyon with his brother and retired to Sommerviller on two occasions, where he also continued to make instruments as a hobby.

Summary

Hippolyte Silvestre (1808-1879) was a French luthier known for his partnership with his brother Pierre in Lyon, forming Silvestre Frères. After training with Blaise and J.-B. Vuillaume, he contributed to the family business, which he managed for a period after his brother's death before transferring it to his nephew. His instruments, crafted on classical Cremonese models with shaded varnish, are described as "very good clean professional work," though individually labeled pieces are rare.