Emil l’Humbert (b. 1872, France, d. 1933) began his vocation in lutherie by apprenticing in the Mirecourt workshops of Derazey and Mougenot. Once whetting his passion for violin making, l’Humbert went on to the Paris workshops of Bernardel, Jombart, and Silvestre as well as the Blanchard shop in Lyons. L’Humbert established his own shop in 1906. Most of his work bears the labels of his former employers, however this fabulous violin offered by Claire Givens is signed with his own name and is accompanied by a KW&S cert.
L’Humbert is famous for his meticulous adherence to the great traditions of French violin making. His work exhibits clean Stradivari modeling and he had a penchant for finishing his instruments with a transparent orange to red-brown varnish which is quite lovely to behold. Moreover, his violins were acclaimed by the Paris Conservatoire players for exquisite refined and focused tone. Now you can experience this gorgeous violin as did the Conservatorie players! You will immediately notice the attention to detail and the exacting workmanship of the violin with its one piece back emblazoned with broad descending flames. The violin has a sophisticated silvery tonal profile with crystalline projection and meteoric response. For the violinist with a smaller hand, you will appreciate how the slim neck invites your left hand to dance nimbly over the violin. Vive la France!