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Scan 44
A dictionary of violin makers
5 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 34. See the scan on archive.org.
1Musique," and later, "de la chapelle de l'Empereur." In 1855 his brother, C. N. Eugène Gand, became his partner, and at the Paris Exhibition that year "Gand frères" gained a medal of the 1st class. He received the cross of "Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur," August 19, 1862. Labels: (1) "Gand, luthier de la musique du Roi et du Conservatoire de Musique, rue Croix-des-petits-Champs, Paris, 18—. 1845-1848, A. G."; (2) "Gand, luthier du Conservatoire de Musique, rue Croix-des-petits-Champs, No. 20, Paris, 1854. A. G."; (3) "Gand frères, luthiers de la musique de l'Empereur et du Conservatoire Impérial de Musique, No. —. Paris, 1855 à 1866."
2Gand, Charles François, eldest son of Charles Michel Gand, b. Aug. 5, 1787, Versailles; d. May 10, 1845, Paris. First worked at Versailles with his father; in 1802 was apprenticed to Nicolas Lupot, of Paris; he remained for four years, returning to his father July 17, 1806. In 1810 he again went to Paris, and started his own business at [address hidden]; in 1820 he bought Koliker's property at No. 24, in the same street, where he remained till his death. In 1824 he succeeded Lupot, whose daughter he had married. He followed in Lupot's footsteps, making his instruments with the same care and ability, never letting an instrument leave his shop which was not entirely made by his own hands; he used brilliant red-brown varnish, rather thick in quality. Lupot left unfinished an order for the Royal Orchestra; Gand completed it, making 6 violins, 3 violas, 5 violoncellos, and 4 double-basses between 1824 and 1828. These beautiful specimens of his work were unfortunately destroyed when the Tuileries was burnt down in 1871. He was especially skilful in repairing old instruments, owing to his great knowledge of Italian work. Appointed "Luthier du Conservatoire," he for some time made the violins and violoncellos given as prizes to the pupils. Labels: "Gand chez Lupot, rue de Grammont, 1805," used when in Lupot's workshop; "Ch. F. Gand fils, luthier Versailles, 1807," used when working with his father; "Ch. F. Gand, élève de N. Lupot, luthier, rue Croix-des-petits-Champs, à Paris, an 1812"; "Gand, luthier, élève de Lupot, rue Croix-des-petits-Champs, No. 24, Paris, 1820 à 1824"; "Gand, luthier de la musique du roi et de l'Ecole Royale de Musique, rue Croix-des-petits-Champs à Paris, 1825 à 1830"; "Gand, luthier du Conservatoire de Musique, rue Croix-des-petits-Champs, 1833"; "Gand, luthier de la musique du roi et du Conservatoire de Musique, rue Croix-des-petits-Champs, Paris, 18—, 1833 à 1845." He had two sons, both makers, Charles Adolphe and Charles Nicolas Eugène.
3Gand, Charles Michel, the head of the Gand family, b. 1748, at Mirecourt; d. 1820, Versailles. He established himself in Versailles in 1780, at [address hidden]; later moved to [address hidden], at the sign of "aux tendres accords." He had two sons, both makers, Charles François and Guillaume, the latter succeeded him.
4Gand, Charles Nicolas Eugène, second son of Charles François Gand, b. June 5, 1825, Paris; d. Feb. 5, 1892, Boulogne-sur-Seine. He studied music, at the same time learnt his trade under his father and brother. Entered the Paris Conservatoire, Nov. 19, 1834, being admitted to Baillot's special violin class, Nov. 28, 1840, and not leaving until Baillot's death, in 1842. He joined his brother Charles Adolphe as partner in 1855; Adolphe dying in 1866, the two houses, Gand and Bernardel, became one. "Gand et Bernardel frères" were first at [address hidden], then at 4, passage Saulnier in 1883. Instruments were no longer carefully constructed by the maker himself, workmen had to be employed to make the quantities of instruments required for orchestra playing; during the Paris Exhibition, 1878, the firm "Gand" supplied 52 violins, 18 altos, 18 violoncellos, and 18 double-basses for the big orchestras playing there. These instruments all have "Palais du Trocadero, 1878," on their labels. Though clever workmen had worked on them, all instruments that bear his name received the finishing touches and were varnished by Eugène himself. He also made very good bows, the violin bows especially are noted for their lightness and perfect balance. Like his father he was a great authority on old instruments. Between 1866 and the year of his death, 1,506 violins, 460 violoncellos, and 190 altos passed through his hands, the last violin being finished on August 14, 1891. In 1889 he and Gustave Bernardel exhibited a double-bass, noticeable as being of the
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