Nicolas (III) Vuillaume
Brussels, Mirecourt, Paris, 1800–1865
Nicolas (III) VUILLAUME (1800-1865/1871) was a French luthier, the son of Claude Vuillaume, who worked with his brother Jean-Baptiste in Paris before returning to Mirecourt to establish a business producing student-grade instruments known as "violons stentor." He received a bronze medal in 1855 for these instruments, and the ‘Stentor’ brand later became a successful line of student instruments. His son, Antoine, also trained as a luthier but died at 21.
Worked
Brussels, Mirecourt, Paris
Made
Cello, Viola, Violin
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
£61,250
157 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Labelled Nicolas Vuillaume NV Lot 21 | — | March 2026 | £10,800est. Estimate £ 10,000-15,000 |
| Violin | Stentor model, later table, labelled Ste Cécile des Thermes Lot 72 | Vichy | December 2025 | £3,391est. € 3.000-4.000 |
| Violin | Two-piece back of narrow curl, varnish of a golden orange colour Lot 2290 | Il Ponte | November 2025 | £6,510est. € 6.000-7.000 |
| Violin | Stentor model Lot 172 | Vichy | June 2025 | £12,715est. € 12.000-15.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Jean Baptiste Vuillaume à Paris, 3 rue Demours Ternes, signed to the inside back, branded Lot 130 | Tarisio | May 2024 | £15,077est. $ 20,000-30,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Jean Baptiste Vuillaume à Paris, 3 rue Demours Ternes, signed to the inside back, branded Lot 100 | Tarisio | February 2024 | £37,778est. € 12.000-18.000 |
| Violin | Stentor model, vestige of escutcheon on the back side of the head Lot 8 | Vichy | November 2023 | £7,028est. € 6.000-8.000 |
| Violin | Stentor 1 model, bearing the mark Stentor 1 on the back slide of the head Lot 168 | Vichy | November 2023 | £10,271est. € 6.000-8.000 |
| Violin | Violin, 1845 c. Lot 304 | Vichy | November 2023 | £13,232est. € 4.000-6.000 |
| Cello | Labelled Nicolas Vuillaume Lot 33 | Tarisio | November 2023 | £28,558est. $ 20,000-30,000 |
| Violin | Made for J.B. Vuillaume, bearing the Ste. Cécile des Thernes transfer on the upper back Lot 161 | Ingles & Hayday | October 2023 | £15,600est. £ 6,000-8,000 |
| Violin | Branded Stentor 1 and escutcheon to the head, mostly unvarnished Lot 364 | Vichy | June 2023 | £11,376est. € 4.000-5.000 |
| Violin | Unlabelled Lot 428 | Ingles & Hayday | March 2023 | £19,200est. £ 10,000-15,000 |
| Small Cello | 1/2 size violoncello, Ste Cécile model, bearing a faint label Lot 370 | Vichy | December 2022 | £8,293est. € 8.000-10.000 |
| Small Violin | 1/2 size violin, bearing the maker's label Lot 773 | Vichy | November 2022 | £3,855est. € 1.000-1.500 |
| Violin | Labelled Ste Cecile des Thermes, Paris 1848, No. 478, bearing a faint appliqué of Ste Cécile to the back Lot 141 | Tarisio | October 2022 | £21,970est. € 20.000-30.000 |
| Small Violin | 3/4 size violin, bearing the maker's label Lot 858 | Vichy | June 2022 | £4,128est. € 1.200-1.500 |
| Small Violin | 1/2 size violin, probably Stentor model Lot 774 | Vichy | June 2022 | £2,745est. € 800-1.000 |
| Violin | Sainte Cécile model Lot 312 | Vichy | June 2022 | £18,484est. € 4.000-6.000 |
| Violin | Sainte Cécile model, labelled Vuillaume à Paris Lot 20 | Vichy | June 2022 | £11,416est. € 12.000-15.000 |
| Cello | Labelled Nicolas Vuillaume Lot 10 | Tarisio | June 2022 | £35,851est. $ 20,000-30,000 |
| Violin | Labelled and branded Stentor 3 Lot 174 | Vichy | December 2021 | £9,499est. € 1.500-2.000 |
| Violin | Branded Stentor I to the head and back Lot 203 | Vichy | December 2021 | £7,916est. € 6.000-8.000 |
| Viola | Viola, 1850-55 c. Lot 307 | Vichy | June 2021 | £4,276est. € 4.000-5.000 |
| Violin | Branded Stentor 2 to the head and internally to the back Lot 58 | Vichy | June 2021 | £9,620est. € 6.000-8.000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's brand to the back and head Lot 25 | Vichy | June 2021 | £9,192est. € 6.000-8.000 |
| Violin | One-piece back of narrow irregular curl, varnish of a golden red colour Lot 321 | Il Ponte | April 2021 | £2,277est. € 1.700-2.000 |
| Violin | Stentor model, branded Stentor 1 to the back and the head Lot 310 | Vichy | December 2020 | £12,320est. € 8.000-10.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Jean Baptiste Vuillaume à Paris, 3 rue Demours Ternes, stamped to the inside back Vuillaume Lot 223 | Tarisio | March 2020 | £10,800est. £ 15,000-22,000 |
| Violin | Bearing a facsimile label St. Cecile des Thernes, de Vuillaume à Paris, Chez Pillement, 95, Rue St ... Lot 127 | Tarisio | February 2020 | £13,901est. $ 15,000-22,000 |
| Small Violin | 3/4 size violin, labelled and branded to the head Stentor I Lot 152 | Vichy | November 2019 | £3,180est. € 1.500-2.000 |
| Violin | Violin, 1845-50 c. Lot 163 | Vichy | November 2019 | £20,514est. € 7.000-8.000 |
| Double Bass | Four string bass, decorated back, branded Stentor Lot 175 | Vichy | November 2019 | £29,745est. € 15.000-20.000 |
| Small Violin | 1/2 size violin, labelled Stradivari Lot 312 | Vichy | November 2019 | £3,077est. € 3.000-4.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Nicolas Vuillaume, branded to the inside back and top N. Vuillaume Lot 178 | Tarisio | May 2019 | £12,110est. $ 15,000-22,000 |
| Small Violin | Labelled Stentor II and branded to the head Lot 74 | Vichy | December 2018 | £3,528est. € 1.000-1.500 |
| Small Violin | 3/4 size violin Lot 910 | Vichy | June 2018 | £2,732est. € 1.000 |
| Small Violin | 1/4 size violin, Stentor model, branded internally and to the lower rib Lot 17 | Vichy | June 2018 | £2,629est. € 1.500-2.000 |
| Violin | Stentor II model Lot 20 | Vichy | June 2018 | £8,938est. € 8.000-10.000 |
| Small Violin | Branded Stentor III Lot 61 | Vichy | June 2018 | £2,208est. € 1.000-1.500 |
| Cello | Bearing the maker's signature to the back, labelled Vuillaume Lot 275 | Vichy | June 2018 | £33,651est. € 30.000-35.000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label Lot 355 | Vichy | June 2018 | £13,671est. € 8.000-10.000 |
| Violin | Stentor I model, branded Lot 365 | Vichy | November 2017 | £2,006est. € 1.500-2.000 |
| Violin | Carved STENTOR, one-piece back, vanish of a red brown colour on a golden ground Lot 95 | Apollium | June 2017 | £5,554est. € 6.000-8.000 |
| Violin | Later head Lot 415 | Vichy | December 2016 | £8,428est. € 8.000-10.000 |
| Small Cello | 3/4 size cello, Stentor model, signed Stentor internally and to the head Lot 419 | Vichy | December 2016 | £4,874est. € 5.000-6.000 |
| Cello | Labelled Jean Baptiste Vuillaume a Paris, 3 Rue Demours, ... 1864 Lot 141 | Brompton’s | October 2016 | £27,900est. £ 25,000-35,000 |
| Violin | Stentor model Lot 368 | Cannes | October 2016 | £4,272est. € 2.000-3.000 |
| Violin | Labelled N.F. Vuillaume Lot 272 | Vichy | June 2016 | £3,583est. € 4.000-5.000 |
| Violin | Illustrated in Violon Vuillaume, p. 260, n. 117, Stentor I model Lot 165 | Vichy | December 2015 | £5,537est. € 6.000-8.000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label and brand to the lower rib Lot 217 | Vichy | June 2015 | £2,803est. € 2.000-2.500 |
| Violin | Sainte Cécile model, labelled Ste Cécile des Thernes n° 671, Ste Cécile picture to the back Lot 260 | Vichy | June 2015 | £11,386est. € 8.000-10.000 |
| Violin | Branded Stentor 2 internally on the back and on the back of pegbox Lot 6 | Ingles & Hayday | March 2015 | £6,600est. £ 6,000-8,000 |
| Small Violin | 3/4 size violin, stamped to the inside back Stentor, 2 Lot 152 | Tarisio | February 2015 | £2,914est. $ 2,000-3,000 |
| Violin | Stentor model, bearing the maker's label Lot 252 | Vichy | June 2014 | £8,224est. € 9.000-10.000 |
| Violin | S.te Cecile model, varnished and sold by Jean Baptiste Vuillaume Lot 265 | Vichy | June 2014 | £22,254est. € 8.000-10.000 |
| Small Violin | 1/2 size violin, Stentor 1 model, branded Stentor 1 to the back internally and to head Lot 325 | Vichy | June 2014 | £3,677est. € 3.500-4.000 |
| Violin | Guarneri del Gesù model, bearing the maker's label and brand to the lower rib Lot 460 | Vichy | June 2014 | £25,157est. € 12.000-15.000 |
| Violin | Stentor I model Lot 664 | Vichy | December 2013 | £3,782est. € 1.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Ste Cecile des Thernes, Paris 1863, No 619, bearing the appliqué to the back St Cecile des ... Lot 275 | Tarisio | October 2013 | £13,548est. $ 15,000-22,000 |
| Violin | Stentor I model, branded Stentor I to the back internally and to the head Lot 70 | Vichy | June 2013 | £4,590est. € 4.000-6.000 |
| Violin | Stentor model, branded Stentor to the lower rib Lot 125 | Vichy | June 2013 | £8,160est. € 7.000-10.000 |
| Small Violin | 1/2 size violin, branded Stentor to the back internally Lot 820 | Vichy | December 2012 | £1,266est. € 1.000 |
| Small Cello | 3/4 size violoncello, Stentor model, signed Stentor internally and to the head Lot 256 | Vichy | December 2012 | £2,927est. € 3.000-3.500 |
| Cello | Lot 296 | Bonhams | October 2012 | £61,250 |
| Violin | Labelled Nicholas Vuillaume Lot 252 | Brompton’s | October 2012 | £9,000est. £ 8,000-12,000 |
| Cello | Labelled Jean Baptiste Vuillaume a ..., of a golden amber red brown colour Lot 296 | Bonhams | October 2012 | £61,250 |
| Small Violin | 3/4 size violin Lot 57 | Vichy | June 2012 | £3,105est. € 1.500-2.000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label Lot 263 | Vichy | June 2012 | £6,793est. € 8.000-10.000 |
| Violin | Stentor 2 model, branded to the inside back and to lower rib Lot 420 | Vichy | June 2012 | £7,764est. € 8.000-10.000 |
| Violin | Unlabelled, of the Stentor type Lot 265 | Tarisio | April 2012 | £11,865est. $ 6,000-9,000 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1860 c. 3/4 size Workshop of | — | December 2011 | £1,275 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, mid 19th C. | — | November 2011 | £9,022 |
| Violin | 33.6 cm 1860 c. branded 'Stentor 1' Attributed to | — | October 2011 | £3,125 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm Mirecourt, 1840-1845 c. | — | June 2011 | £13,777 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. | — | May 2011 | £14,567 |
| Cello | 77.2 cm 1860 c. Workshop of | — | March 2011 | £7,904 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. | — | March 2011 | £13,200 |
| Violin | 36.2 cm Mirecourt, 1843 | — | December 2010 | £2,900 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. | — | October 2010 | £8,125 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, 1860-1865 c. | — | June 2010 | £5,385 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. | — | June 2010 | £6,214 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. (small sound-post crack unrestored) | — | June 2010 | £19,676 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. | — | December 2009 | £2,503 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Paris, 1850 c. | — | October 2009 | £12,605 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. | — | June 2009 | £5,186 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mirecourt, 1860 c. | — | May 2009 | £6,211 |
| Violin | 36.7 cm Mirecourt, 1860 Ascribed to | — | April 2009 | £1,693 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm "Stentor" model | — | December 2008 | £4,198 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. (head replaced, various restorations) | — | December 2008 | £4,095 |
| Violin | 37.0 cm Brussels, 1867, after "Maggini" | — | November 2008 | £2,280 |
| Viola | 39.7 cm Paris, 1850 c., "St. Cecile" model made for "J.B. Vuillaume" | — | October 2008 | £7,231 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Mirecourt, 1860 c. (restored soundpost crack) | — | June 2008 | £5,570 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. | — | June 2008 | £6,499 |
| Violin | 36.2 cm Mirecourt, 1830 | — | June 2008 | £6,499 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. | — | March 2008 | £4,680 |
| Violin | 36.2 cm Mirecourt, 1830 | — | June 2007 | £5,451 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. "Stentor 1" model (some damage to top) | — | June 2007 | £10,421 |
| Violin | 33.2 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. 3/4 Size 'Stentor' model | — | May 2007 | £1,440 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm Mirecourt, 1846 | — | May 2007 | £6,913 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mirecourt, 1850-1855 c. | — | December 2006 | £7,989 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mirecourt, 1860 c. | — | October 2006 | £5,517 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm Mirecourt, 1860 c. Workshop | — | June 2006 | £4,856 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm 1855 c. "Stentor" model | — | June 2006 | £6,071 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Mirecourt, 1851 Workshop of | — | May 2006 | £3,372 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mirecourt, 1860 c. | — | May 2006 | £6,132 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1855-1860 c. 'Stentor 3' (scroll replaced) | — | December 2005 | £4,390 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1860 c. 'Stentor 3' | — | December 2005 | £2,554 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1860 c. | — | December 2005 | £5,188 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1847 made for "J.B.Vuillaume" | — | November 2005 | £13,792 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1869 c. 'Stentor 2' model | — | June 2005 | £4,114 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1843 #7 | — | June 2005 | £2,136 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1850 c. 3/4 size | — | June 2005 | £1,899 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1860 c. 3/4 size | — | June 2005 | £1,820 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1860 'Stentor 2' model | — | June 2005 | £1,424 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1850 c. | — | May 2005 | £19,778 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1860 c. Child's size | — | May 2005 | £2,422 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1870 c. Workshop | — | May 2005 | £1,130 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1870 c. 3/4 Size | — | May 2005 | £3,663 |
| Violin | 3/4 Size 'Stentor 1' model | — | December 2004 | £3,744 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1860 c.'Stentor' model | — | December 2004 | £1,872 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1850 c. 'Stentor' model | — | November 2004 | £4,780 |
| Violin | 1/4 Size. made for "J.B. Vuillaume" | — | October 2004 | £2,704 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1850 c. | — | May 2004 | £5,019 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1851 branded "GD2" | — | March 2004 | £2,495 |
| Violin | 1860 | — | December 2003 | £4,947 |
| Cello | 1855 | — | October 2003 | £14,558 |
| Violin | 1860 | — | June 2003 | £5,000 |
| Violin | 1860 c. Labeled "Stentor" | — | May 2003 | £2,820 |
| Violin | 1850 Labeled "Stentor" | — | December 2002 | £6,432 |
| Violin | 1850 Labeled "Stentor" | — | December 2002 | £4,129 |
| Violin | 1855 Labeled "Stentor" | — | June 2002 | £5,495 |
| Violin | 1850 | — | June 2002 | £4,239 |
| Violin | 1860 | — | December 2001 | £1,986 |
| Cello | 1860 c. | — | June 2001 | £16,879 |
| Violin | 1860 | — | May 2001 | £1,950 |
| Violin | 1860 | — | March 2001 | £2,760 |
| Violin | 1850 [& J.B.) | — | December 2000 | £11,214 |
| Violin | 1860 | — | December 2000 | £1,325 |
| Violin | 1850 c. | — | November 2000 | £1,394 |
| Violin | 1860 | — | September 2000 | £1,265 |
| Violin | 1850 | — | November 1999 | £2,990 |
| Violin | 1844 | — | March 1999 | £3,910 |
| Violin | 1860 | — | March 1999 | £3,450 |
| Violin | 1860 [& J.B.) | — | March 1999 | £12,650 |
| Violin | 1870 | — | December 1998 | £2,650 |
| Violin | 1875 c. | — | November 1998 | £7,475 |
| Violin | 1860 c. Labeled "Stentor" | — | June 1998 | £1,495 |
| Violin | 1850 c. Labeled "Stentor" | — | June 1997 | £2,300 |
| Violin | 1850 c. | — | March 1997 | £5,750 |
| Violin | 1850 | — | March 1995 | £2,645 |
| Violin | 18-- | — | November 1994 | £2,016 |
| Violin | 18-- Labeled "Stentor" | — | May 1993 | £2,933 |
| Violin | 18-- Labeled "Stentor" | — | July 1992 | £2,420 |
| Violin | 18-- | — | March 1992 | £4,180 |
| Violin | 1870 c. Labeled "Stentor" | — | June 1989 | £1,760 |
| Violin | 18-- Labeled "Stentor" | — | November 1985 | £1,980 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Nicolas (III) VUILLAUME (1800-1871), identified by Cecie Stainer as the second son of Claude Vuillaume, was born in 1800 and died in 1871. However, John Dilworth states his death year as 1865 in Mirecourt, France, and identifies him as the third son of Claude-François Vuillaume (IV). He initially resided in Mirecourt but, following the loss of his wife in 1832, relocated to Paris where he worked alongside his elder brother, Jean-Baptiste, for a decade. He returned to Mirecourt in 1842, establishing his own business focused on the factory-like production of violins.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- His instruments are described by Cecie Stainer as being of ordinary workmanship.
- Exhibitions & Awards
- He exhibited violins at low prices, known as "violons stentor," in Paris in 1855, for which he was awarded a bronze medal.
- Production Focus
- Upon his return to Mirecourt, he concentrated on the manufacture of student-grade instruments, often referred to as ‘Stentor’ models, many of which were produced by A. Darte and his wife.
Recorded labels
- Nicolas Vuillaume NV
fecit à Mirecourt, anno 1830John Dilworth - Fabrique de
A. Darte
MirecourtJohn Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Training: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff identifies him as a pupil of Claude V.
- Mentorship: He worked for his elder brother, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, in Paris from 1832 to 1842.
- Awards: Nicolas (III) Vuillaume received a bronze medal in 1855 for his "violons stentor" exhibited in Paris.
- Family: His son, Antoine, who trained under him, died at the young age of 21.
- Brand Continuity: The ‘Stentor’ name, associated with his student instruments, was later sold to Gautrot and continues to be used by a flourishing company supplying student instruments.
Further Information
- Distinguishing Marks: Instruments produced under the ‘Stentor’ name are often distinguished by a shield mark bearing the name ‘Stentor’ on the back of the scroll.
- Internal Branding: Original Nicolas Vuillaume instruments are branded internally with "NV / fecit à Mirecourt, anno 1830 Fabrique de / A. Darte / Mirecourt."
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Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
VUILLAUME, Nicolas (III) Born 1800, died 1865 Mirecourt France. Third son of Claude-François Vuillaume (IV), above. Worked for his brother Jean-Baptiste 1832-1842, then returned to Mirecourt to manufacture student grade instruments known as ‘Stentor’. These were mostly made by A. Darte and his wife, and are distinguished by the shield mark bearing the name ‘Stentor’ on the back of the scroll. The name was later sold to Gautrot, and remains a flourishing company supplying student instruments. Original N. Vuillaume instruments branded internally. Nicolas Vuillaume NV / fecit à Mirecourt, anno 1830 Fabrique de / A. Darte / Mirecourt
Cecie Stainer+
Second son of Claude Vuillaume; b 1800; d. 1871. He first lived at Mirecourt, but losing his wife in 1832, he left Mirecourt and went to Paris, where he worked with Jean Baptiste, his elder brother, for ten years. He returned to Mirecourt, starting a business there in 1842. His instruments are of ordinary workmanship ; he exhibited in Paris, 1855, violins at low prices, called ” violons stentor,” and was awarded a bronze medal. His son, Antoine, died at the age of 21.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Zweiter Sohn und Schüler von Claude V. Er arbeitete von 1832—1842 bei seinem Bruder in Paris, ging dann nach Mirecourt zurück und verlegte sich auf die fabriksmässige Herstellung von Geigen. Nach seinem eigenen Modell machte er Geigen, denen er den Namen »Violons stentor« gab. Er erhielt 1855 eine Bronce-Medaille. Sein Sohn Antoine, der bei ihm lernte, starb schon mit 21 Jahren.
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