Lupot, Nicholas

1758-1824

Celebrated violin-maker; descended from a family of violin-makers, which came originally from Mirecourt in the Vosges Mountains. He was born at Stuttgart and early learned the trade of his fathers, having made good instruments at twenty years of age. In 1794 he removed to Paris, where he later established his shop, and any of his instruments, dated between 1805 and 1824, are worth from one thousand to twelve thousand francs. He was named the "French Stradivari," because he was so successful in imitating the Stradivari violin. He made several quintets of two violins, two tenors, and bass, to which he endeavored to give a perfect unity of tone and appearance, and these bring very high prices. During his time he ranked as the best in his trade in Europe. His business descended to his son-in-law, Charles Francis Gaud, who is a member of the well-known firm of Gaud and Bernardel.