Marcel Vatelot

History

Marcel Vatelot (1884-1970) was born in 1884 in Nogent-sur-Marne, France, and passed away in 1970 in Paris. His parents hailed from Mirecourt, and he was the great-grandson of Blaise, a violin maker from Lorraine. Marcel Vatelot completed his apprenticeship with E. Poirson in Mirecourt and subsequently worked in other workshops within the Mirecourt region until 1899. He then relocated to Paris, where he was employed by C. Brugère and later by Marchand. Following his time in Paris, he briefly worked in Nantes, at what was formerly the Maison Lete. According to John Dilworth's The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, he established his own business in Paris in 1910 at 11 rue de Portalis, though Henri Poidras's Critical & Documentary Dictionary Of Violin Makers Old & Modern states he returned to Paris and established himself at rue Portalis in 1909. He quickly earned a reputation as Paris's foremost expert and connoisseur. In 1926, he was appointed luthier to the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris. His son and successor, Etienne Vatelot (born 1925), assisted him and officially took over the business in 1959. The workshop continues its operations today under the name Vatelot-Rampal.

Craft

• Models: Marcel Vatelot's work is highly regarded for its fine execution, particularly on Stradivari models, and was also based upon the fine Italian models in his personal collection.
• Varnish: He utilized a distinctive varnish that ranged in color from golden-orange to dark red.
• Instruments: His violas and cellos are especially sought after by musicians and collectors.

Influence

• Apprenticeship: Marcel Vatelot apprenticed with E. Poirson in Mirecourt.
• Early Career: He gained experience working in various Mirecourt workshops up to 1899.
• Parisian Workshops: In Paris, he worked for C. Brugère and later for Marchand.
• Nantes Employment: He was also briefly employed in Nantes at the establishment formerly known as Maison Lete.

Legacy

• Succession: His son, Etienne Vatelot (born 1925), became his successor, officially taking over the family business in 1959.
• Continuity: The workshop founded by Marcel Vatelot continues to operate in the present day as Vatelot-Rampal.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: Marcel Vatelot established his business at 11 rue de Portalis in Paris.
• Label Inscription: An example of his label reads: "Marcel Vatelot Luthier / A Paris. Année 1920".

Summary

Marcel Vatelot (1884-1970) was a distinguished French luthier, expert, and connoisseur, born in Nogent-sur-Marne and active primarily in Paris. Apprenticed to E. Poirson in Mirecourt, he established his own highly reputable business in Paris around 1909-1910 at 11 rue de Portalis. He was appointed luthier to the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris in 1926. Vatelot was known for his very fine work on Stradivari models, featuring a distinctive golden-orange to dark red varnish, with his violas and cellos being particularly prized. His son, Etienne Vatelot, continued his legacy, and the workshop endures today as Vatelot-Rampal.