Violin by Charles Jean-Baptiste Collin-Mézin père, 1879
Well-Balanced Warmth for Professional Players
This violin has an overall warm, full sound, with each string offering its own distinct character while blending together into a well-balanced and versatile instrument. The upper strings provide brightness and clarity, while the lower strings add warmth and texture to create rounded depth. The sound quality has a natural, light woodgrain-like texture that makes it feel like the violin is truly alive and singing.
It projects with solid power, the E string standing out for its silvery brilliance. The violin’s resonance adds richness and dimension, giving the sound a deeper, more expressive character. Ideal for orchestral or ensemble playing, this violin offers both balance and individuality. It is currently strung with Dynamo Strings.
Charles Jean-Baptiste Collin-Mézin (1841–1923) was a prominent French violin and bow maker from Mirecourt, son of Claude Nicolas Collin. He trained under N. F. Vuillaume in Brussels and established a Paris workshop in 1867 on rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, later relocating within the same street.
One of the leading French makers of the 19th century, he worked on Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati models and was known for a hard spirit varnish in golden to light red-brown tones. He received multiple awards at Paris exhibitions (1878, 1879, 1889, 1900) and was named Officier de l’Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1884. His instruments, often internally stamped “Collin-Mezin,” were played by musicians such as Joseph Joachim. He also trained his son, Charles Collin-Mézin fils, and made bows.
Maker: Charles Jean-Baptiste Collin-Mézin père
Region: France
Year: 1879
Specifications
Body Length: 360mm
Upper Bout: 169mm
Middle Bout: 114mm
Lower Bout: 208mm
Certification: LAVS
SKU: P1127-CL-C
Level: Professional