Viaduct Violins Paris

Biography

The son of François BARBÉ, a violin maker himself, Télesphore Amable BARBÉ started began his apprenticeship with J.J. Honoré DERAZEY in MIRECOURT before joining Jules GRANDJON's workshop.
In 1845 he left MIRECOURT for tha workshop of Jean-Baptiste VUILLAUME in Paris, where he became his first assistant.
After a few years T.A. BARBÉ left VUILLAUME's workshop, but maintained his professional collaboration with the great Master while working at home, producing instruments in white for VUILLAUME.

In 1867 T.A. BARBÉ got a distinction as collaborator at the Paris Exposition Universelle.
It's interesting to note that, at that time, his professional address is established as "at JB VUILLAUME Paris"

A skillful maker, T.A. BARBÉ seemed unable to establish a business of his own.
In reference to this Roger MILLANT wrote "he was an excellent violin maker and worked very quickly; but when he wasn't working his irresponsible behavior meant that he could never open a business on his own"

T.A. BARBÉ also collaborated with GAND Père, C.A. MIREMONT, REMY Frères, and Charles JACQUOT and Pierre-Charles JACQUOT.

Works
Télesphore A. BARBÉ built up a reputation with his copies of the Messiah Stradivari.

Label
TELESPHORE BARBÉ
Ex premier ouvrier de J-B Vuillaume
MÉDAILLÉ A L'EXPOSITION DE 1867
PARIS
and dated by ink. (see iconography)

Some instruments are signed to the inside.

Awards and medals
1867 - Distinction as collaborator. (Mention Honorable)
Paris (France) Exposition Universelle.

Sources:
- Dictionnaire Universel des Luthiers, René VANNES.
- J.B. Vuillaume. Roger MILLANT
- La Lutherie Lorraine et Française, Albert JACQUOT.
(More specific publication references are available in our Bibliography section.)

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