We have thousands of human-written stories, discussions, interviews and reviews from today through the past 20+ years. Find them here:
Discussion Forum - Violinists - Thread
yehross
yehgross

French violin identification

February 3, 2026, 3:58 PM · Hi everyone. I was today in a local violin shop where I played multiple violins in the 2k-4k dollar price range. One of my favorites there was a violin labeled LUTHERIE ARTISTIQUE / Louis Hecquin (and then it was I think a serial number.... Not sure). It seems to be in perfect condition. I was trying to google for info about this maker/workshop, but I didn't find anything except of that he was a French maker in the early 20th century.

So please if anyone can bring me more info about him and his work, how much are his violins worth paying for, (It's listed for 3k in the violin shop) and anything else about him, it will be more than appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Replies (8)

pdeck
Paul Deck
Edited: February 3, 2026, 5:53 PM · My daughter's violin was made by Eduard Reichert (a German workshop) in the late 19th century (according to Dalton Potter). The label inside has some other name (Hermann Jaas) that I've been unable to find using Google. I suspect that the Reichert workshop was using name-labels to disguise the plain fact of workshop manufacture. Something like that might going on with the instrument that you referenced in your post.
Thom
Tom Holzman
Edited: February 3, 2026, 6:26 PM · My violin has a Paul Bailly label which I assume was added by some less significant maker. Labels mean very little.
So, yehgross, while I have never heard of the French maker whose label you find in your violin, I would not worry overly much. The question is whether you like the instrument enough to spend $3K.
markbviolin
Mark Breiger
February 3, 2026, 6:35 PM · One can see examples of his work in various auctions. I think the information from them speaks volumes, especially when combined with the lack of other information.

The violin you played could be worth what they are asking, but i suspect it may be difficult for you to resell for that amount.

JJT
Jeff Terflinger
Edited: February 5, 2026, 12:24 PM · You should ask the gentlemen that Maestronet. They are are the experts.
Thom
Tom Holzman
February 3, 2026, 6:42 PM · Given Jeff's point, you might want to find out if the dealer will credit you with what you paid for it if you decide to trade up. Potter's does that, and I got full value for one viola I got from them when I traded up for a much better one.
matesic
Steve Jones
Edited: February 4, 2026, 4:04 AM · Mirecourt for sure but without pictures it's impossible to say whether it could be one of their lower or higher grade models.

This picture gives a nice impression of the scale of the workshops there.
https://dolceviolins.net/blog/violin-making-history/laberte-humbert-freres-firm-a-brief-history/?srsltid=AfmBOopxo48lOdjk8SmSZMNCUQykRxfr84e5q98YzPcH9VMxzr4u-_mG
Apparently during the inter-war period this workshop had up to 400 employees.

pdeck
Paul Deck
Edited: February 4, 2026, 6:39 PM · It's not a French violin unless it says "violon" on the label...

Are all the knowledgeable people on Maestronet gentlemen? None are women?

JJT
Jeff Terflinger
February 5, 2026, 12:30 PM · There are indeed women posting on Maestronet. Pardon my ommision.